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FROM   THE  LIBRARY   OF 


REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 


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THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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AT  THE  AGE  OF  3  9  , 
'  list  erected  at  the  death  of  tlie  Earl,  in  ttie  Church  at 
A' M K\Y- DE -LA- Z OTJ CH ,   LEICE S TER SHIRF. .. 


^ 


MEMOIR  LOCT  8   1931 


OF 


x\\\n,  CuuntfSiS  of  l^aintinghn 


COMPILED  FROM  AUTHENTIC  DOCUMENTS, 


EEY.     ALFRED      H.      NEW, 

Author  of  "  The  Voice  of  the  Bible  to  the  Age." 


J^ttJisetr  SBtrCtton 


NEW   YOEIC 


PROTESTANT   EPISCOPAL   SOCIETY   FOR   THE   PROMOTION    OF 
EVANGELICAL    KNOWLEDGE, 

NO.    11    BIBLE     PLACE,     ASTOR      HOUSE. 


1858. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  AMERICAN  EDITIOIS". 


The  great  events  now  in  progress,  render  tliis  new 
Life  of  Lady  Huntingdon  a  timely  re-publication.  But, 
in  issuing  it  from  a'Cliurcli  press,  some  explanatory  ob- 
servations are  deemed  advisable. 

It  is  hardly  possible  for  us  to  conceive  the  spiritual 
state  of  England  in  1735.  The  rulers  of  the  Church 
were  ignorant  of  the  Gospel,  and  generally  opposed  to 
all  measures  for  its  revival,  some  from  constitutional 
arrogance^  others  from  worldliness  and  prejudice. 

The  nobility  and  upper  classes  were  either  utterly 
indifferent,  or  openly  infidel.  The  rudeness  and  deprav- 
ity of  the  common  people  answered  in  full  to  the  picture 
of  it  drawn  by  Mr.  Foster,  in  his  Essay  on  "  Popular 
Ignorance ;"  while  the  few  zealous  ones  here  and  there, 
were,  for  the  most  part,  walking  in  the  moon-light  Gos- 
pel of  Mr.  Law.  One  of  this  class  was  the  mother  of 
the  Wesleys,  whose  experience,  as  described  by  the 
younger,  may  still  be  read  upon  her  tomb  in  Bunhill 
Fields,  though  she  came  to  the  light  at  the  eleventh 
hour: 

"  True  daughter  of  affliction,  slie, 
Inured  to  pain  and  misery, 
Wept  a  long  night  of  grief  and  fears, 
A  legal  night  of  seventy  years." 

It  is  impossible  to  appreciate  the  subsequent  history 
of  religion  without  keeping  these  facts  in  view.  Some 
might  wish  to  see  them  suppressed,  especially  such  delin- 
quencies of  high  officers  in  the  Church  as  occasionally 
appear  in  the  following  Memoir,  and  in   every  faithful 

history  of  the  times.     But  this  is  neither  wise  nor  neces- 

(iii) 


iv  PREFACE. 

sary.  Let  the  facts  speak  as  in  tlie  impartial  records  of 
the  apostolic  and  early  churches.  The  church  properly 
speaking  is  not  responsible  for  them.  Her  standards  were 
sound  and  pure,  nor  is  it  an  unheard  of  thiug  that 
such  standards  should  find  their  true  representatives  at  a 
particular  time,  not  in  those  who  are  in  power,  but  in 
those  who  are  in  humbler  stations.  These  facts  convey 
wholesome  lessons.  They  stand  forth  to  vindicate  the 
necessity  and  often  the  measures  of  succeeding  reforma- 
tions, and  in  the  light  of  them  only  can  subsequent  his- 
tory be  fully  understood. 

Such  was  the  state  of  religion  throughout  England 
when  God  raised  up  a  new  order  of  Evangelists  such 
as  the  world  has  not  seen  since  the  first  apostles  of  Chris- 
tianity. They  were  nurtured  in  the  bosom  of  the  Estab- 
lished Church.  In  it  and  for  it  they  opened  their  mis- 
sion, and  to  it  they  were  loyal  in  judgment  and  in  feeling. 
They  loved  its  doctrines,  its  discipline,  and  its  worship. 
Let  it  now  be  put  to  vote  in  the  Establishment  itself 
whether  the  Chaplains  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  or  Dr. 
Cornwallis  and  Bishop  Lavington  were  the  true  church- 
men of  that  day.  We  have  lived  to  see  the  time  when 
the  highest  dignitaries  of  the  Church  are  contending  in 
parliament  for  such  "liberty  of  prophecying,"  as  would 
have  satisfied  the  revivalists — a  liberty  which  it  is  now 
generally  held  to  be  not  only  impolitic  but  sinful  to  with- 
hold :  though  there  are  not  wanting  men  who  will  plead 
the  letter  of  tyrannical  laws  to  hinder  Bishops  and  Arch- 
bishops themselves  from  evangelizing  the  masses  by 
extra  canonical  services.  These  are  the  parties  charge- 
able with  the  separations  which  ensued,  and  which  they 
forced    upon    those   who    were    the   benefactors   of  the 


PREFACE.  y 

ChurcTi  and  nation.  They  had  no  sympathy  with  the 
DissenterS;  or  with  any  others  who  were  uufilial  to  the 
Church,  though  suffering  so  much  from  its  unjust  and 
infatuated  rulers.  In  proof  of  this,  the  chief  of  those 
who  ultimately  were  forced  out,  said,  so  late  as  1766, 
''  We  are  not  Dissenters.  We  are  not  Seceders ;  nor  do 
we  bear  any  resemblance  to  them.  We  set  out  upon 
quite  opposite  principles.  The  Seceders  laid  the  very 
foundation  of  their  work  in  judging  and  condemning 
others.  We  laid  the  foundation  of  our  work  in  judging 
and  condemning  ourselves.  They  begin  ever  where  with 
showing  their  hearers  how  fallen  the  Church  and  ministers 
are.  We  begin  everywhere  by  showing  our  hearers  how 
fallen  they  are  themselves  J'' 

The  peculiar  power  of  these  reformers  was  in  their  in- 
tense and  unquestionable  love  for  the  souls  of  their 
fellow-creatures,  and  in  the  fact  that  they  preached  the 
Gospel,  which  was  then  like  a  new  revelation  from 
heaven.  And  this  solves  the  mystery  of  their  treatment 
from  its  enemies ;  for  this  Gospel  is  ever  an  amazement, 
a  scorn,  and  a  riddle  to  the  world  and  to  the  mere 
Churchman,  when  preached  by  such  evangelists  as 
Whitefield.  Theirs  was  not  the  undefined  and  dreamy 
devoutness  of  the  pietist  school,  the  connection  of  which 
with  the  doctrines  of  Scripture  was  slender  and  precari- 
ous, and  which  the  world  allows  to  pass  unchallenged ; 
on  the  contrary,  their  preaching  was  a  distinct  and 
sharply  defined  announcement  of  the  doctrines  of  grace, 
which  employed  without  scruple  the  very  terms  in  which 
they  had  been  revealed  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 

As  to  the  separations  which  ensued,  while  we  are  not 

1* 


VI  PREFACE. 

wise  enough  to  pronounce  upon  the  designs  of  Provi- 
dence in  allowing  them,  we  think  it  must  be  evident  now 
that  the  permanent  usefalness  and  influence  of  Lady 
Huntingdon's  chapels,  (and  as  much  may  be  said  of  the 
WesleyanS;)  would  have  been  far  better  secured  had  these 
separations  not  taken  place.  Whitefield,  indeed,  and 
many  others,  never  had  their  allegiance  to  the  Church 
severed,  or  as  they  said,  at  all  weakened ;  and  the  same 
was  true  of  the  Countess  herself;  and  a  part  of  our  de- 
sign in  the  re-publication  of  her  Life,  is  to  acknowledge 
and  claim  her  distinguished  labours  as  being  in,  and  of, 
and  for  the  Church,  Avhile  our  models  are  the  persecuted 
but  still  conforming  evangelists,  such  as  Yenn,  Berridge, 
Walker  of  Truro,  Adam,  Eomaine,  and  their  successors. 
And  this  leads  us  to  say  that  "  the  great  awakening" 
has  been  too  much  connected  in  our  minds  with  the  men 
who,  through  undesired  events,  were  separated  from  our 
own  communion.  These,  from  their  peculiar  talents, 
came  more  prominently  into  history,  but  they  were,  by 
no  means,  the  exclusive  originators  of  the  work.  Different 
minds,  unknown  to  one  another,  were  at  the  same  time 
similarly  affected  towards  the  truth  of  the  gospel.  All 
were  in  the  Church,  and  but  very  few  of  her  own  minis- 
ters, nothwithstanding  their  provocations,  ever  thought 
of  separation.  They  loved  the  Church  as  the  Keformers 
left  it,  and  obeyed  laws  subsequently  imposed,  which 
they  believed  most  injurious  to  the  Church,  and  most 
unjust  to  her  members,  as  the  lesser  evil.  The  names 
of  the  conformers  have  been  less  conspicuous,  as  they 
refused  to  head  any  parties;  but  they  bore  their  full 
share  with  the  "  irregulars  "  in  producing  the  most  sur- 
prising  moral   revolution   upon   record,    in    which   the 


PREFACE.  Vll 

nobility  shared  as  well  as  the  ignorant  multitude.  It  is 
not  denied  that  tlie  Churcli  was  benefited  by  the  struc- 
tures external  to  it,  which  yet  leaned  against  its  walls ; 
but  the  work  of  renovation  was  chiefly  accomplished  by 
the  builders,  who  continued  within,  and  who,  under  per- 
secution, repaired  in  the  night  what  thieves  had  broken 
down  by  day.  Their  work  came  with  less  of  "  observa- 
tion," but  it  continued  with  historic  succession  in  the 
Church  of  England,  and  there  it  now  lives,  and  is  preg- 
nant with  further  consequences.  It  is  a  remarkable 
fact,  acknowledged  by  observers  from  without,  that  the 
'^  succession "  of  the  great  revival  is  now  found  not 
among  the  Wesleyans,  or  Nonconformists  of  any  name, 
but  in  the  bosom  of  the  National  Church.  With  some 
abatement  of  its  original  fervors,  it  there  survived  and 
and  still  survives,  with  a  growing  influence  which  has 
removed  innumerable  abuses,  and  animated  with  new  life 
every  department  of  that  Church  which  has  now  greater 
power  for  good  than  any  other  upon  earth,  which  has 
reached  and  controlled  the  government  in  its  connection 
therewith,  and  extended  itself,  through  its  missionaries 
to  the  most  distant  nations.  It  is  not  pretended  that 
there  are  now  living  any  full  representatives  of  that  un- 
rivalled dispensation  of  the  Spirit.  There  are  not.  But 
it  is  not  without  a  somewhat  extended,  and  we  trust 
impartial  reading  and  observation,  that  we  express  the 
belief  that  the  genius  of  the  great  revival  of  the  eigh 
teenth  century  is  at  this  hour  better  represented  in  those 
who  fill  the  sees  of  Canterbury,  York,  and  London,  than 
in  the  heads  of  the  hierarchy  which  Wesley  invented. 

We  may  never  have  precisely  the  same  demonstratior 
again,  but  new  revivals  take  new  forms,   as   seems  likel}' 


VIU  PREFACE. 

to  be  the  case  in  the  unprecedented  religious  interest 
now  in  progress  ;  but  as  the  last  extended  over  thirty 
years,  with  little  abatement;  and  was  in  other  respects 
incomparably  superior  to  any  which  had  preceded  it,  in 
virtue  of  which  every  religious  community  holding  the 
truth,  has  distanced  the  position  which  it  held  in  1740, 
by  many  a  league,  of  which  little  reckoning  has  been 
had,  so  we  trust  that  those  which  are  to  come,  will  be 
still  more  extensive  and  glorious ;  for  the  subjugation  of 
the  whole  world  to  the  Spirit  of  the  Gospel,  is  yet  to  be 
accomplished.  While  sympathizing  cordially  in  good, 
and  evil,  and  blessings,  which  other  churches  experience, 
we  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  over  the  progress  of  the 
Gospel  in  the  Church  of  England.  Two  nations,  indeed, 
are  yet  struggling  in  its  womb — Jacob  and  Esau — but  it 
cannot  be  doubtful  which  shall  prevail.  A  great  work 
for  the  truth  in  Europe,  and  throughout  the  Eastern 
world,  is  before  that  church.  With  her  relative  strength, 
as  indicated  in  London,  where  she  has  church  room  for 
875,000  hearers,  while  the  Independents  accommodate 
but  59,000,  the  Methodists  57,000,  and  the  Eomanists 
85,000 — she  is  called  to  it.  With  a  majority  of  the 
bishops,  and  a  body  of  eight  or  nine  thousand  minis- 
ters, who  hold  the  truth,  and  public  sentiment  still  more 
largely  with  them,  sanguine  hopes  are  entertained  that 
a  greater  day  of  evangelic  aggression  throughout  the 
British  dominions,  cannot  be  very  far  distant.  The 
Lord  hasten  it  in  his  time. 
June,  1858. 

Note. — A  few  Abbreviations  iu  tliis  Edition  have  been  judged  expe- 
dient.— Editor. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  ENGLISH  EDITION. 


For  some  years  past,  a  regret  has  been  very  generally 
expressed;  that  there  existed  no  concise  and  popular 
memoir  of  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon.  The  excellent 
volumes  of  her  ^^  Life  and  Times,''''  were  deemed  too 
voluminous  and  costly  for  an  extensive  circulation,  and 
not  adapted  to  attract  the  general  reader.  Year  after 
year,  however,  passed,  without  any  thing  being  attempted 
to  meet  this  pressing  want ;  until,  at  the  beginning  of 
last  year,  the  Author  had  the  honour  of  being  requested 
to  prepare  a  volume  to  supply  the  deficiency.  Several 
important  documents,  and  a  large  mass  of  materials, 
were  placed  in  his  hands;  which,  with  the  published 
statements  to  which  he  has  had  access,  have  enabled 
him  to  compile  the  following  chronological  record  of 
the  Life  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  He  has  endeavoured  to 
state  impartially  the  views  and  opinions  of  the  celebra- 
ted persons  noticed  in  these  pages;  and  has  left  the 
startling  facts,  here  recorded,  to  produce  their  natural 
effect,  without  being  tinged  with  any  remarks  of  his 
own.  He  regrets  that,  at  this  distant  period,  he  has 
been  unable  to  discover  many  documents  which  would 
throw  light  upon  certain  stages  of  her  Ladyship's  career ; 
and  takes  this  opportunity  of  thanking  those  friends  who 
have  kindly  assisted  him  with  materials  and  advice. 

As  the  life  of  the  Countess  extends  over  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  eighteenth  century,  this  volume  discloses 
much  of  the  social  and  religious  condition  of  England, 
during  this  interesting  period.  At  the  commencement 
of  her  career,  the  nation  was  overclouded  with  spiritual 


X  PREFACE. 

darkness;  tlie  voice  of  evangelical  tnith  was  nearly 
speechless;  a  rigid  formality  chilled  the  church;  and 
every  form  of  vice  flourished.  lu  these  pages  it  will  be 
seen,  how  God  enkindled  the  light  of  divine  truth,  and 
raised  up  many  champions,  to  revive  the  church,  and 
evangelize  the  world ;  and  how  the  Countess  succeeded 
in  blessing  the  extremes  of  society — the  highest  and  the 
lowest,  the  richest  and  the  poorest — and  thus  sent  forth 
two  streams  of  holy  influences,  which,  at  length,  met  in, 
and  permeated  the  middle  classes. 

It  is  singular  that  the  revivalists  of  this  period  were 
chiefly  ministers  and  members  of  the  Establishment;  who 
would  have  made  the  Church  of  England  powerful  and 
popular  in  the  land,  but  for  the  short-sighted  bigotry, 
which  cast  out  those  who  were  conspicuous  for  piety  and 
zeal.  When  the  Countess  first  commenced  her  labours, 
she  never  dreamt  of  the  possibility  of  her  separation 
from  the  Church.  She  considered  her  ministers  as  her 
chaplains,  and  her  students  as  evangelists;  and  it  will  be 
seen  in  this  Memoir,  how  firmly  she  adhered  to  her  prin- 
ples,  until  she  was  reduced  to  the  dilemma  of  relinquish- 
ing her  work,  or  separating  from  the  Establishment. 
She  chose  the  latter  alternative ;  and  endeavoured  to 
carry  out  the  spirit  and  doctrines  of  the  English  Church, 
more  purely  than  she  could  have  done,  had  she  bowed  to 
the  decision  of  that  relic  of  a  bygone  age — the  ecclesias- 
tical court.  Her  position  justified  her  step ;  and  the 
proceedings  of  the  evangelical  portion  of  the  clergy,  in 
the  present  day,  silently  honour  her  deeds  by  effecting 
luitlciii  the  pale  of  the  Establishment,  what  she  could 
effect  only  beyond  it. 


PREFACE.  XI 

England  is  rapidly  passing  to  a  position,  whence  she 
will  be  able  to  appreciate  the  value  of  the  labours  of 
Lady  Huntingdon.  The  more  clearly  the  condition  of 
the  nation,  in  the  last  century  is  discerned,  the  more  ex- 
alted will  the  character  of  her  Ladyship  appear.  She 
was  at  least  half  a  century  before  her  times.  The  claims 
of  the  poor — the  value  of  lay -agency — the  importance  of 
open-air  preaching  to  bring  the  Gospel  to  the  masses — 
the  establishment  of  missions  to  the  Heathen,  and  to  the 
Jews — the  necessity  of  popular  education — and  the  bless- 
edness of  Christian  union,  and  catholicity  of  spirit — were 
advocated  by  the  Countess  in  an  age,  when  the  profes- 
sion of  such  sentiments  caused  her  to  be  branded  as  a 
"Methodist,"  treated  as  an  "enthusiast,"  and  to  be  cast 
out  of  the  Establishment.  Yet  all  of  these  tbings  are  now 
being  advocated  by  the  evangelical  dignitaries  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  are  being  carried  out  by  the 
clergy !  The  poor  have  never  received  such  attention 
from  the  Church  as  at  the  present  day ;  the  recent  Bishop 
of  Norwich,  Dr.  Hinds,  in  his  farewell  address  to  his 
clergy,  urges  upon  them  "the  development  of  the  prin- 
ciple, now  more  and  more  claiming  to  be  recognized, 
that  laymen  and  clergymen  must  he  fellow-workers  in  the 
Church,  if  it  is  to  accomplish  all  that  is  required  of  it 
at  home  and  abroad."  Open-air  preaching,  by  distin- 
guished clergymen,  and  even  a  learned  bishop,  is  be- 
coming common ;  Church  Missionary  Societies  are  flour- 
ishing ;  school-rooms  for  educating,  and  preaching  to  the 
poor,  are  being  erected ;  and  a  liberal  catholic  spirit  now 
happily  prevails.  Had  the  Countess,  therefore,  lived  in 
these  days,  she  would  have  found  public  feeling  in  favour 


Xii  P  K  E  F  A  C  E  . 

of  her  plans  ;  and  instead  of  being  maligned  and  perse- 
cuted, slie  would,  doubtless,  have  been  honoured  and 
praised. 

The  example  of  Lady  Huntingdon  is,  however,  still 
needed  to  arouse  and  animate  the  Christian  Church. 
Although  there  is  much  that  is  bright  and  prosperous  in 
the  religious  condition  of  England,  there  is  much  that  is 
dark  and  deadly.  Error,  either  in  the  form  of  rational- 
ism, or  of  a  refined  Popery,  is  secretly  poisoning  many 
fair  districts ;  a  spirit  of  indifference  is  creeping  over  the 
people ;  and  a  morbid  taste  is  springing  up,  which  read- 
ily turns  from  the  Gospel  to  welcome  any  novelty  in 
doctrine  or  practice.  The  times  require  the  services  of 
sincere,  zealous,  evangelical  ministers  and  laymen,  who 
shall  be  ''instant  in  season  and  out  of  season"  to  win 
souls ;  and,  like  the  illustrious  Lady  whose  life  is  here 
recorded,  shall  consecrate  every  thing  they  possess  to 
secure  the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom  on  earth.  This 
volume  is,  therefore,  sent  forth  with  the  prayer,  that  the 
perusal  of  it  may  stimulate  many  to  imbibe  the  spirit, 
and  emulate  the  piety,  zeal,  and  devoted  activity  of 
Selina,  Countess  of  Huntingdon. 

A.  H.  N. 

Leamington, 

June  12th,  1857. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTEK   I. 

THE    PROVIDENCE    OF    GOD. —  THE   SHIRLEY    FAMILY. 
— STANTOX     HAROLD. —  LADY     SELINA     SHIRLEY 


Page 


5 

HER  childhood;  EARLY  IMPRESSIONS;  EDUCA- 
TION; APPEARANCE  AT  COURT. —  IklARRIAGE  WITH 
LORD  HUNTINGDON. —  HIS  FAMILY  AND  CHARAC- 
TER.—  DONNINGTON  PARK. —  LADY  BOUNTIFUL. — 
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. — STRUGGLES  AFTER  TRUTH. 
— ILLNESS  OF  THE  COUNTESS. —  THE  DAWN  OF 
LIGHT. 21 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  SOCIAL  AND  RELIGIOUS  CONDITION  OF  ENG- 
LAND.—  RISE  OF  METHODISM  AT  OXFORD. —  JOHN 
WESLEY. — GEORGE  WHITEFIELD. —  THE  STARTLING 
LABOURS  OF  THE  METHODISTS. — PROVINCE  OF  GEOR- 
GIA.—  WHITEFIELD'S  preaching. —  LORD  HUNT- 
INGDON'S SISTERS  CONVERTED  THROUGH  MR.  ING- 
HAM.—  THE  COUNTESS  ENJOYS  PEACE. —  OPPOSI- 
TION OF  THE  WORLD. — DR.  BENSON. — DR.  SOUTHEY. 
THE   COURT   CIRCLE. — FETTER-LANE   CHAPEL. —  THE 

nobility  flock  to  whitefield  through  lady 
Huntingdon's  influence.  -        -        -        -    83 

2  Cxiiij 


XIV  CONTENTS. 


Page 


CHAPTER  III. 

LAY-PKEACHERS  INTRODUCED  BY  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 
—MR.  MAXFIELD. — THE  COUNTESS  AT  BATH. — 
DEATH  OF  LADY  BETTY  HASTINGS.  —  LADY  HUNT- 
INGDON'S CONCERN  FOR  HER  SERVANTS. —  BISHOP 
BURNET.  —  ASHBY  SCHOOLS.  —  DEATH  OF  MISS 
COOPER. — LABOURS  AND  SUCCESS  OF  LADY  HUNT- 
INGDON AMONG   THE   POOR.  -  -  -  -      62 

CHAPTER  IV. 

LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  DONNINGTON. —  PIOUS  CLER- 
GY.— WHITEFIELD  ON  MOORFIELDS. —  LADY  HUNT- 
INGDON AT  BATH  AND  CLIFTON. — POET  SAVAGE, 
AND  HIS  MOTHER. — LEDSTONE  HALL.— PROGRESS 
OF  METHODISM  IN  YORKSHIRE. — MR.  GRIMSHAW. — 
JOHN  NELSON. — PERSECUTION. — DEATH  OF  GEORGE 
AND  FERDINANDO  HASTINGS.  —  DR.  WATTS. —  DR. 
DODDRIDGE. —  THE  PRETENDER.  —  THE  COUNTESS 
AT   CLIFTON. —  DEATH   OF   LORD   HUNTINGDON.         -      64 

CHAPTER  Y. 

THE  ZEAL  AND  LIBERALITY  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 
— HER  FAMILY. — ILL  HEALTH. — VISIT  TO  LONDON. 
—  DR.  POTTER,  ARCHBISHOP  OF  CANTERBURY. — 
BATH. — IN  WALES. — ^WHITEFIELD  APPOINTED  IIER 
CHAPLAIN. — PREACHES  IN  HER  DRAWING  ROOMS. 
— HIS  SUCCESS  AMONG  THE  NOBILITY. — LORD  BO- 
LINGBROKE.  —  LADY  SUFFOLK.  —  SOCIAL  PRAYER 
MEETING  AMONG  LADIES. — THE  DEVIL's  CASTAWAYS.     82 

CHAPTER  YI. 

THE  PROTECTOR  OF  THE  PERSECUTED. —  BISHOP  OF 
EXETER. — WELSH   PERSECUTION. —  CATHOLICITY  OF 


CONTENTS.  XV 

Page 
LADY  HUNTINGDON. — HER  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. — 
THE  COUNTESS  AT  BRISTOL. —  THE  GOAL  PRISON- 
ERS.—  THE  TABERNACLE. —  EARL  OF  HUNTINGDON. 
—  IRISH  PERSECUTION.  —  ASHBY  :  HER  EFFORTS 
THERE. —  THE  COUNTESS  DELITZ. —  LADY  HOTHAM. 
— LADY  FANNY  SHIRLEY. — A  LEADER  WANTED. — 
UNION  OF  WESLEY  AND  WHITEFIELD. — MR.  THOMP- 
SON.— EARTHQUAKE   IN   LONDON.  -  -  -    100 

CHAPTEE  YII. 

REV.  JAMES  HERVEY.— WHITEFIELD. — NEW  JERSEY 
COLLEGE. — PERSECUTION  AT  ASHBY. — MR.  THORPE. 
— ^WHITEFIELD  IN  YORKSHIRE. — MINISTERS'  BREAK- 
FAST AT  THE  TABERNACLE. — MESSRS.  MADAN  AND 
BROWNE  ORDAINED. — ILLNESS. —  DEATH  OF  LADY 
FRANCES  HASTINGS. 118 

CHAPTEE  YIII. 

AT  BRISTOL. —  DEATH  OF  THE  PRINCE  OF  WALES: — 
HIS  RELIGIOUS  SENTIMENTS. —  AT  CHELTENHAM  ; 
BATH. — ^WARBURTON. — DEATH  OF  DR.  DODDRIDGE. 
— DR.  OLIVER. — FAITH. — DEATH  OF  LORD  BOLING- 
BROKE:  his  WRITINGS,  FAMILY. — IN  LONDON. — 
MARRIAGE  OF  HER  DAUGHTER  TO  BARON  RAWDON. 
— AT  BATH. —  BEAU  NASH. —  HERVEY'S  "  THERON 
AND  ASPASIO." — AT  CLIFTON. — THE  NEW  TABERNA- 
CLE, MOORFIELDS. — BRISTOL  TABERNACLE  OPENED.     132 

CHAPTEE  IX. 

ILLNESS  OF  JOHN  WESLEY  AND  MRS.  C.  WESLEY. — 
IN  YORKSHIRE. — AWFUL  OCCURRENCE. —  LABOURS 
IN  LONDON,  ASHBY,  AND  YORKSHIRE. — DEATH  OF 
LADY    ANNE    HASTINGS. — WHITEFIELD    AT    DONN- 


Xvi  CONTENTS. 


Page 


INGTON  PAEK. —  TABERNACLE  AT  NORWICH. — REV. 
W.  ROMATNE  APPOINTED  HER  CHAPLAIN. — AT  BATH. 
— CLERGY  AT  HER  HOUSE. — LONG-ACRE  AND  TOT- 
TENHAM-COURT CHAPELS. — SHUTER,  THE  COME- 
DIAN.— VISITS  BRIGHTON. — THE  WOMEN'S  COTTAGE 
MEETING. —  JOSEPH  WALL,  THE  BLACKSMITH. — 
DEATH   OF   HENRY   HASTINGS.  ....   149 

CHAPTER  X. 

REVIVAL  OP  RELIGION  IN  THE  ESTABLISHMENT. — 
REV.  HENRY  VENN  PREACHES  AT  HER  MANSION. 
— MESSRS.  MADAN  AND  ROMAINE  ITINERATE  FOR 
HER.— REV.  JOHN  FLETCHER. — AT  BATH. — FAST-DAY 
IN  LONDON  :  SPECIAL  SERVICES. — SACRED  MUSIC  : 
HANDEL.  GIARDINI.  KENT. — REV.  JOHN  BERRIDGE. 
— AT  EVERTON. — WONDERFUL  EXCITEMENT. — MAG- 
DALEN HOSPITAL. —  FOOTE. —  GARRICK. — IN  YORK- 
SHIRE.— SANDEMANIAN  THEORIES. — ANECDOTES  OF 
FLETCHER   AND   BERRIDGE. 169 

CHAPTER  XI. 

ERECTION  OF  BRIGHTON  CHAPEL. —  FAST -DAY. —  RO- 
MAINE.—  HER  CHARITY.  —  BERRIDGE. —  BISHOP  OF 
LINCOLN. — CHAPEL  AT  OATHALL. — CAPTAIN  SCOTT. 
— OLD  ABRAHAM. — IN  YORKSHIRE. —  DR.  CONYERS. 
ARCHBISHOP  OF  YORK. — AT  BRIGHTON. — ROMAINE, 
FLETCHER,  BERRIDGE. — DEATH  OF  GRIFFITH  JONES, 
AND   MR.  JONES,  OF   ST.  SAVIOUR'S   CHURCH.   -  -    189 

CHAPTER  XII. 

AT  BRIGHTON.  —  ROMAINE;  HIS  EARLY  BREAKFASTS. 
DR.  CONYERS. —  THE  GREEK  BISHOP. —  DEATH  OF 
GRIMSHAW. — LADY  SELINA   HASTINGS;  ITER  DEATH. 


CONTENTS.  XVU 

Pago 
SORROW  OF  THE  COUNTESS. — SYMPATHY. — LETTER 
OP  BERRIDGE. — TUNBRIDGE  WELLS;  ITS  CONDITION; 
HER  MINISTERS  PREACH  THERE. —  MRS.  CARTERET. 
MRS.  CAVENDISH. — REV.  WALTER  SHIRLEY. — PERSE- 
CUTION OF  ROMAINE. — LAW- SUITS. — TRIUMPH  OF 
THE   GOSPEL. — HER  JOY. 205 

CHAPTEE  XIII. 

POWER  OF  EXAMPLE. — CHAPEL  AT  LEWES. — WORTH- 
ING.—  HER  CATHOLICITY. — CHAPEL  AT  BRETBY. — 
OPENING  OF  BATH  CHAPEL. — HER  MINISTERS. — 
FLETCHER. — CONVERSION  OF  LADY  GLENORCHY. — 
DEATH  OF  THE  EARL  AND  COUNTESS  OF  SUTHER- 
LAND.—  ANECDOTE.  —  LETTER  TO  MRS.  POWYS. — 
WESLEY   AT  BATH. —  HORACE   WALPOLE. —  NICODE- 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

AT  BATH. —  MR.  VENN. —  CAPTAIN  SCOTT. —  DRS.  AND- 
REWS AND  WARBURTON. — S.  FURLEY. — LADY  ANN 
BRSKINE. —  VISITS  YORKSHIRE. —  STRANGE  SCENES. 
RODBOROUGH. — MADELEY. —  BRETBY  HALL. —  HUD- 
DERSFIELD. — SERIOUS  ILLNESS. — CONSOLATIONS  OF 
FRIENDS. — MRS.  DEAN. — SAMSON  OCCUM. — AT  BATH. 
DEATH  OF  MRS.  VENN. —  ROWLAND  HILL. — LORD 
DARTMOUTH. — DEATH  OF  EARL  BUCHAN.  -  -   241 

CHAPTER  XY. 

COLLEGE  AT  TREVECCA. — PLAN  OF  ADMISSION. — LET- 
TERS OF  FLETCHER. — AT  BATH. — HER  TRIALS. — 
BERRIDGE. — DISPUTES  RESPECTING  THE  LIVING  OP 
ALDWINCLE. — KIMPTON. — MADAN. — DR.  HAWEIS. — 
PURCHASES  THE  ADVOWSON. — CORRESPONDENCE. — 


XVlll 


CONTENTS 


PIETY  AT  OXFORD. — EXPULSION   OF   SIX  STUDENTS 


OF     ST.    EDMUNDS     HALL. —  PAMPHLETS, 
OXONIENSIS." — PREPARES   HER  COLLEGE. 


PIETAS 


Pago 


263 


CHAPTER  XYI. 

TUNBRIDGE  WELLS. — DEATH  OF  LADY  MARGARET  ING- 
HAM.—  WHITEFIELD.  —  TWO  EXPELLED  STUDENTS 
AND  LORD  HUNTINGDON. —  ANECDOTES. —  COLLEGE 
AT  TREVECCA  OPENED. — STUDENTS  ;  THEIR  STUDIES, 
ZEAL,  AND  LABOURS. —  LETTER  OF  BERRIDGE. — 
IN  LONDON. — PAINFUL  REMINISCENCES. — BOOTH'S 
"REIGN  OF  GRACE." — AT  BATH. — REMEDY  FOR  SICK 
MINISTERS.— REV.  DR.  DE  COURCY, —  OPENING  OF 
CHAPEL   AT  TUNBRIDGE  WELLS.  -  -  -  279 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

EEV.  R.  DE  COURCY. — LABOURS  IN  SUSSEX. — TREVEC 
CA  COLLEGE. —  CLASSICAL  TUTOR. — ANNIVERSARY, 
— BERRIDGE. — HER  LIBERALITY. — VENN  AT  BATH 
— STAR  OF  FIRST  MAGNITUDE.  —  ITINERANT  LA 
BOURS. — IN  LONDON. — TRIALS. — STATE  OF  CONGRE 
GATIONS. — VINCENT  PERRONET. — JOURNEYINGS. 


295 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

PERIOD  OF  CONTROVERSY. — CALVINISTIC  AND  ARMIN- 
lAN  METHODISTS. —  MINUTES  OF  CONFERENCE. —  J. 
BENSON. — FLETCHER  AT  COLLEGE. — SECOND  ANNI- 
VERSARY.—  PROSPERITY. —  DEATH  OF  WHITEFIELD. 
— NOBILITY  AT  BATH. —  ROWLAND  HILL. —  STRIFE. 
—  BENSON  DISMISSED. —  FLETCHER  RESIGNS. —  THE 
RISING  STORM. — CONFERENCE. — PAPER  WAR. — RE- 
FLECTIONS  ON   THE    CONTROVERSY. 


311 


CONTENTS.  xix 

CHAPTER  XIX.  ^''' 

HER  EESPONSIBLE  POSITION. —  WALES.  —  SWANSEA. — 
THE  STUDENTS. —  MARGATE. — DOVER. — FOLKSTONE. 
DEAL. —  CANTERBURY. —  ASHFORD. —  MAIDSTONE. — 
THE  MIDLAND  COUNTIES. — DORSETSHIRE. — DEVON- 
SHIRE.— AFFECTION  FOR  HER  STUDENTS. — ARCH- 
BISHOP OF  CANTERBURY. —  KING  AND  QUEEN. — 
PETITION  AGAINST  THE  THIRTY-NINE  ARTICLES. — 
THE   DISSENTERS.' — LORD   CHATHAM.        -  -  -   830 

CHAPTER   XX. 

WHITEFIELD'S  will.  —  CORNELIUS  WINTER. —  AMERI- 
CAN MISSIONS.  —  EMBARKATION.  —  SUCCESS.  —  DE- 
STRUCTION OF  THE  ORPHAN  HOUSE. —  AMERICAN 
WAR. — LEONE  MISSIONS. — AT  BATH. — REV.  THOMAS 
WILLS. — YORK  AND  HULL. — REV.  JOSEPH  MILNER. 
— LORD  AND  LADY  CHESTERFIELD. — COUNTESS  DE- 
LITZ. — HOWELL   HARRIS. — WORCESTER  CHAPEL.       -   346 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

IRELAND.  —  DUBLIN.  —  PLUNKET  -  STREET  CHAPEL. — 
PERSECUTION. — ITINERANCY  IN  IRELAND. — LETTER. 
ILLNESS  OF  LADY  FANNY  SHIRLEY. —  CHAPELS  IN 
LONDON,  ETC. —  MULBERRY  GARDENS. —  TREVECCA. 
REV.  MR.  HAWKESWORTH. —  BRIGHTON. — CHICHES- 
TER.— MR.  PENTYCROSS. — ^WALLINGFORD  CHAPEL.   -   363 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

INCREASE  OF  LABOURS. — CHAPEL  AT  KIDDERMINSTER. 
READING. — DR.  TALBOT. —  PERSECUTION. — READING 
AND  BRISTOL. — VISITS  CORNWALL,  ST.  IVES,  MEVA- 
GISSEY,  ST.  COLUMB,  WEST  LOO,  TRURO,  NORWICH. 
PURCHASES  THE  TABERNACLE. —  ANNIVERSARY. — 
COLLEGE. — REMARKABLE   SCENES-  -  -  -   878 


XX  CONTENTS. 

Page 

CHAPTEE  XXIII. 

POWER  OP  EXAMPLE. — SPAFIELDS. — THE  PANTHEON. 
— NORTHAMPTON. — RICHMOND. —  SPAFIELD'S  CHA- 
PEL. —  PERSECUTION.  —  ECCLESIASTICAL  COURTS. — 
BATH  CHAPEL. —  DISPUTES  WITH  WHITEFIELD'S 
TRUSTEES.  —  CHELTENHAM.  —  WELSH  CONGREGA- 
TIONS.— ROWLAND   HILL. 392 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

EXTRAORDINARY  TIMES  AND  MEASURES.  —  INCREASE 
OF  LABOUR. — PIER  TRIALS. — READING. — ITINERANT 
PREACHING  THROUGHOUT  ENGLAND.  —  MR.  GLAS- 
COTT. — TUNBRIDGE  WELLS. — CHARITABLE  ABUSES 
AT  EPWALL  AND  REPTON. — VALUE  OF  COLLEGE. — 
— PRAYERS  FOR  HER  STUDENTS.  —  DEMAND  FOR 
MINISTERS. — ORDINATION  AT   SPAFIELDS.         -  -   406 

CHAPTER  XXY. 

EXERTIONS  IN  CUMBERLAND. —  CHAPELS  AT  BOOTLE, 
WHITEHAVEN,  KENDAL,  WEYMOUTH,  HEREFORD, 
AND  BIRMINGHAM. — ANECDOTE. — LORD  DOUGLAS. 
— INTENDED  VISIT  TO  GERMANY. — LETTER. — POPISH 
PLOTS. — ANECDOTE. —  SEPARATION  OF  MR.  WILLS 
FROM  CONNEXION. — SION   CHAPEL. — ANECDOTE.      •   417 

CHAPTER  XXYL 

LAST  OF  THE  REVIVALISTS. — INCREASING  WEAKNESS. 
DEATH  OF  LORD  HUNTINGDON. —  PREPARATIONS 
FOR  DEATH. — REMOVAL  OF  THE  COLLEGE  TO  CHES- 
HUNT. — THE  CONNEXION. — GENERAL  ASSOCIATION. 
HER  WILL. —  MISSIONARIES  TO  OTAHEITE. —  LAST 
ILLNESS. — HAPPY  STATE. — DEATH. — CHARACTER. — 
INFLUENCE. — CONCLUSION. 428 


Mmoir  of  Xabq  Buntinghn. 


CHAPTER  I.  A.D.  1707—1738. 

THE  PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD. — THE  SHIRLEY  FAMILY. — 
STANTON  HAROLD. — LADY  SELINA  SHIRLEY;  HER 
CHILDHOOD;  EARLY  IMPRESSIONS;  EDUCATION;  AP- 
PEARANCE AT  COURT. — MARRIAGE  WITH  LORD  HUN- 
TINGDON.— HIS  FAMILY  AND  CHARACTER. — DONNING- 
TON  PARK. — LADY  BOUNTIFUL. — SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. 
— STRUGGLES  AFTER  TRUTH. — ILLNESS  OF  THE  COUNT- 
ESS.— THE  DAWN  OF  LIGHT. 

The  providence  of  God  is  no  where  more  clearly  mani-  • 
fested  tlian  in  the  history  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ. 
The  first  establishment  of  Christianity  was  effected  by 
displays  of  divine  power  and  grace,  which  attracted  uni- 
versal attention,  scattered  the  mists  of  ignorance  and 
superstition,  and  collected  a  band  of  faithful  followers 
around  the  standard  of  the  cross.  The  infant  church 
was  shielded  by  heavenly  protection,  and  rapidly  in- 
creased in  power  and  extent.  The  storms  which  rose 
against  her  only  strengthened  her  vitality;  and  for  a 
long  time,  the  fierce  trials  through  which  she  passed 
■united  the  faithful  more  closely  to  Christ,  and  to  each 
other.  Even  when  clouds  hung  darkly  over  her,  and 
the  wicked  raised  a  shout  of  triumph  at  her  prostrate 
condition;  the  hand  of  God  painted  the  bow  of  promise 
upon  the  threatening  darkness,  "Lo!  I  am  with  you 
always,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world."  Every  season  of 
dif&cnlty  called  forth  the  appropriate  agency  by  which  it 
could  be  removed.  Remarkable  men  were  raised  up 
adapted  to  the  peculiar  situation  of  the  Church,  and  able 

21 


22  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

to  cope  with  the  spirit  of  the  times.  When  certain  doc- 
trines were  obscured  or  denied,  the  champion  came  forth 
to  direct  particular  attention  to  the  'truths  which  were 
hidden;  when  pompous  rites  and  gorgeous  ceremonies 
usurped  the  place  of  sincere  and  heart-felt  worship,  an 
intrepid  reformer  appeared  to  sweep  away  the  popish 
mummeries  which  contaminated  the  Church :  and  when 
a  death-like  slumber  fell  upon  her,  and  paralysed  her 
efforts  to  evangelize  the  world,  God  stirred  up  in  some 
noble  breasts  a  burning  love  for  the  salvation  of  men, 
which  soon  created  an  excitement  in  the  world,  and  led 
many  to  use  extraordinary  exertions  to  rescue  sinners 
from  destruction  by  bringing  them  to  Christ.  The  in- 
terests of  religion  required  the  services  of  such  men  as 
Wycliffe,  Huss,  Luther,  Calvin,  and  Knox,  at  the  sev- 
eral epochs  in  which  they  lived ;  and  the  providence  of 
God  raised  them  up  to  effect  a  glorious  reformation,  and 
to  give  new  life  to  the  Church  of  Christ.  Among  those 
who  were  thus  rendered  conspicuous  in  the  eighteenth 
century  for  the  services  they  rendered  to  true  religion, 
none  shone  more  brightly  than  the  illustrious  lady  whose 
life  is  here  recorded. 

Selina,  Countess  of  Huntingdon,  was  descended 
from  the  ancient  and  honourable  house  of  Shirley,  which 
was  as  distinguished  for  the  purity  of  its  genealogy, 
traceable  to  the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  as  for  the 
piety  which  adorned  its  most  celebrated  members.  Her 
grandfather.  Sir  Eobert  Shirley,  was  created  Yiscount 
Tamworth  and  Earl  Ferrars  in  1711,  by  reason  of  his 
grandfather's  marriage  with  the  youngest  daughter  of 
Robert  Dcvereux,  the -unfortunate  Earl  of  Essex  and  the 
favourite  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  He  married  twice,  and 
had  a  family  of  twenty-seven  children.  His  second  son, 
the  father  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  was  born  June  22nd, 
1677,  and  named  Washington  Shirley  after  his  mother, 
the  daughter  and  heiress  of  Lawrence  Washington,  Esq., 


STANTON     HAROLD.  23 

of  Caresclen,  WiltsMre.  He  succeeded  to  his  father's 
titles  in  1717 ;  and  was  highly  beloved  for  the  integrity 
of  his  conduct,  the  benevolence  of  his  disposition,  the 
affability  of  his  manners,  and  the  impartiality  of  his 
judgment.  He  married  Mary,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Sir 
Kichard  Levinge,  a  distinguished  ornament  of  the  Eng- 
lish bar;  by  whom  he  had  three  daughters:  Elizabeth, 
afterwards  Lady  E.  Nightingale,  to  whom  the  celebrated 
monument  in  Westminster  Abbey  was  erected;  Selina, 
Countess  of  Huntingdon;  and  Mary,  Viscountess  Kil- 
morey. 

Lady  Selina  Shirley,  the  second  daughter  of  Washing- 
ton Shirley,  was  born  at  Stanton  Harold,  for  many  years 
the  seat  of  the  Shirley  family,  on  the  24th  of  August  1707. 
The  mansion  was  most  delightfully  situated  in  a  fine  park 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  which  was  well  wooded, 
and  diversified  by  hill  and  dale.  It  stood  midway  be- 
tween the  ancient  town  of  Ashby-de-la-Zouch  and  Don- 
nington  Park,  the  residence  of  the  Earl  of  Huntingdon ; 
and  was  rendered  conspicuous  by  the  massive  structure 
of  the  edifice,  and  the  noble  apartments  it  contained.  The 
grounds  Avere  laid  out  with  great  taste  and  care ;  a  spaci- 
ous lake  of  ornamental  water  gave  increased  beauty  to  the 
sweeping  lawn,  and  reflected  on  its  surface  a  handsome 
stone  bridge  which  was  thrown  across  it.  Adjoining  the 
house  was  a  church  or  chapel,  which  consisted  of  a  nave, 
aisles,  chancel,  and  tower ;  and  v/ithin  it  are  some  monu- 
ments with  long  inscriptions,  which  commemorate  the 
names,  titles,  and  characters  of  the  members  of  the  Shir- 
ley family  there  interred.  This  was  the  spot  which  wit- 
nessed the  development  of  the  body  and  mind  of  Lady 
Selina. 

She  inherited  the  talents  and  benevolent  disposition  of 

her  father,  and  from  a  very  early  age  manifested  great 

seriousness  of  mind.     When  she  was  nine  years  old,  she 

^saw  the  corpse  of  a  young  person  about  her  own  age 


24  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

carried  to  its  last  resting  place.  She  followed  it  to  the 
grave,  and  listened  to  the  impressive  service  read  over 
the  body.  Her  mind  was  deeply  affected  with  the  thought 
of  a  future  world  ;  her  heart  was  filled  with  sad  and  pain- 
ful feelings ;  the  tears  rolled  down  her  little  cheeks ;  and 
she  fervently  prayed  that,  when  God  should  be  pleased 
to  take  her  away,  he  would  deliver  her  from  all  her  fears, 
and  give  her  a  happy  departure.  The  influence  of  that 
event  was  long  after  felt.  She. often  retired  to  the  lonely 
church-yard  to  visit  the  grave,  and  to  revive  the  thoughts 
and  feelings  she  had  at  first  experienced.  These  feelings 
"were  still  further  deepened  by  the  death  of  her  grandfather 
Dec.  25, 1717;  which  naturally  cast  a  gloom  over  the  family 
circle.  Her  sensitive  mind  was  keenly  affected  by  every 
little  trouble;  and  she  frequently  entered  into  a  closet, 
where  she  could  remain  unobserved,  and  unburdened  her 
heart  in  earnest  prayer  to  God.  Though  in  her  early 
years  she  had  no  clear  views  of  the  distinctive  doctrines 
of  the  gospel,  she  felt  great  relief  in  prayer ;  and  rejoiced 
in  being  able  to  make  known  her  requests  to  the  Lord. 
She  sought  divine  direction  in  all  that  she  did ;  and  as 
she  grew  up  to  womanhood,  she  earnestly  prayed  that  she 
might  marry  into  a  serious  family,  where  she  would  be 
preserved  from  the  temptations  peculiar  to  her  station. 

Her  education  was  directed  with  the  view  to  fit  her  for 
the  high  position  in  which  she  moved  ;  and  successfully 
drew  out  the  talents  of  her  mind,  the  disposition  of  her 
heart,  and  the  graceful  deportment  of  her  manners.  At 
a  tender  age  she  exhibited  the  dawn  of  those  excellencies, 
for  which  she  was  afterwards  so  distinguished ;  and  gave 
the  promise  of  becoming,  if  her  life  were  spared,  a  use- 
ful and  valuable  member  of  noble  society.  Her  acquire- 
ments were  much  beyond  the  ordinary  standard  of  the 
age  in  which  she  lived.  She  possessed  a  highly  intelli- 
gent mind,  an  extraordinary  quickness  of  apprehension, 
a  brilliant  fancy,  a  retentive  memory,  a  strong  clear  under- 


THE     EARL     OF     HUNTINGDON.  25 

standing,  and  a  sound  judgment,  whicli  was  improved  by 
reading,  conversation,  observation,  and  reflection.  Her 
position  gave  her  many  opportunities  of  gaining  a  general 
knowledge  of  mankind ;  and  she  early  evinced  great 
ability  in  penetrating  into  the  character  of  those  with 
whom  she  came  in  contact.  Her  countenance  grew  more 
engaging  with  the  development  of  her  mental  powers. 
She  was  not  what  would  be  termed  a  beauty ;  yet  there 
was  a  grace,  a  sweetness,  about  her  features,  when  lit  up 
witli  benevolence  and  the  ardent  workings  of  her  spirit, 
which  fully  compensated  for  the  absence  of  more  per- 
ishable charms.  Her  person  was  noble  and  commanding; 
her  eyes  were  large  and  lustrous ;  her  nose  slightly  aqui- 
line ;  her  lips  well-formed  and  expressive ;  her  forehead 
bold  and  intellectual.  There  was  a  serene  tranquility, 
sometimes  shaded  with  a  tinge  of  sadness,  depicted  on 
her  countenance,  which  was  rarely  disturbed  by  outward 
events. 

When  she  was  introduced  to  the  world,  and  made  her 
appearance  at  court,  she  manifested  no  inclination  to  fol- 
low the  example  of  her  companions  in  the  gaieties  of 
fashionable  life.  She  mingled  with  them  in  their  amuse- 
ments, and  appeared  in  the  splendid  assemblies,  which 
met  at  Kensington  ;  but  she  was  free  from  the  vanity, 
pride,  and  still  greater  foibles,  which  at  that  period  char- 
acterized too  many  of  the  ladies  of  the  court.  She  loved 
to  retire  to  some  secluded  spot,  where  she  could  read  the 
word  of  God:  she  was  constantly  impressed  with  the 
thought  of  a  future  world ;  and  the  habitual  realization 
of  divine  things  gave  a  seriousness  to  her  conduct,  which 
preserved  her  am.id  scenes  of  great  danger. 

On  June  3rd,  1728,  Lady  Selina  Shirley  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Theophilus,  the  ninth  Earl  of  Huntingdon. 
The  ancient  dignity  of  the  House  of  Hastings  might  have 
excited  the  ambition  of  many  an  heiress ;  but  the  strict 
decorum  and  outward  propriety,  which  she  observed  and 

3 


26  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

mistook  for  religion,  were  far  more  grateful  to  her  than 
riches  or  renown :  and  she  recognised  in  her  marriage 
with  the  head  of  that  house  the  answer  to  her  many 
prayers  that  she  might  marry  into  a  serious  family.  The 
Hastings  family  had  been  distinguished  by  their  connex- 
ion with  royalty,  their  talents,  and  their  piety.  The 
unfortunate  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  was  for  some  time 
confided  to  the  keeping  of  the  Earl  of  Huntingdon ;  and 
King  James  the  First  and  his  Consort  were  often  visitors 
at  the  famous  Castle  of  Ashby.  Lord  Hastings,  the  un- 
cle of  Theophilus,  was  a  nobleman  of  great  learning,  and 
of  a  benevolent  disposition.  The  House  of  Hastings  has 
also  produced  many  bright  examples  of  religious  women, 
who  consecrated  their  time  and  talents  to  the  service  of 
God. 

Theophilus,  ninth  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  was  the  eldest 
son  of  Theophilus,  seventh  Earl,  by  his  second  marriage ; 
and  was  born  at  Donnington  Park,  Leicestershire,  Nov. 
12,  1696.  He  succeeded  his  half-brother  George,  eighth 
Earl,  Feb.  22,  1705.  He  passed  a  considerable  portion 
of  his  time  in  Italy  and  France,  and  finished  his  travels 
with  a  tour  in  Spain,  which,  in  that  day,  was  regarded  as 
a  courageous  enterprise.  He  carried  with  him  abroad  a 
good  stock  of  learning,  which  he  had  acquired  at  Oxford, 
under  the  care  of  his  tutor  Dr.  Benson ;  and  brought  it 
back  improved  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  men  and 
manners.  There  he  became  tolerably  perfect  in  the  best 
modern  languages,  and  their  classic  literature ;  and  re- 
turned with  ''  a  taste  as  elegant,  and  a  judgment  as  sound, 
as  perhaps  any  man  in  Europe."  He  was  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  the  history  and  constitution  of  his  own 
country ;  and  had  his  modesty  and  love  of  retirement 
permitted  him  to  engage  in  the  bustling  busy  world,  none 
would  have  appeared  in  the  senate  or  cabinet  with  more 
wisdom,  or  with  more  fortitude.  He  was  rarely  seen  in 
any  public  capacity,  though  he  carried  the  sword  of  state 


DONNINGTON     PARK.  27 

at  tlie  coronation  of  George  II ;  lie  souglit  his  enjoyment 
in  his  homC;  and  in  scattering  blessings  in  his  private 
paths.  His  birth,  eminent  as  it  was,  reflected  much  less 
honour  upon  his  abilities,  than  his  abilities  did  upon  his 
birth  ;  for  his  natural  and  acquired  talents  were  such  as 
might  have  raised  him  to  the  highest  rank  of  men,  had 
fortune  placed  him  in  the  lowest. 

Such  was  the  noble  Earl  to  whom  Lady  Selina  Shirley 
was  united  by  the  "sweet  and  sacred  tie  of  love."  He 
well  knew  how  to  value  the  treasure  which  Providence 
had  given  him  in  a  woman  of  such  merit  and  amiable 
qualities ;  and  he  accordingly  made  it  his  study  to  repay 
the  felicity  with  which  she  crowned  his  life.  He  loved 
her  with  a  warm  and  devoted  attachment,  and  considered 
her  as  the  greatest  addition  to  his  earthly  happiness ;  and 
from  the  period  of  his  marriage  to  the  day  of  his  death 
he  maintained  his  character  as  an  attentive  and  affec- 
tionate husband.  His  esteem  and  love  for  her  increased 
with  time ;  and  he  frequently  declared  that  her  life  and 
actions  rendered  even  virtue  more  lovely,  and  her  society 
and  conversation  constituted  his  greatest  happiness.  'Nov 
could  any  one  have  been  happier  than  she  was  in  her 
husband.  The  more  she  knew  him,  the  stronger  she 
loved  him ;  she  reared  a  noble  tablet  to  him  at  his  de- 
cease ;  his  image  was  never  effaced  from  her  heart ;  her 
highest  respect  and  veneration  were  paid  to  his  memory : 
and  but  a  short  time  before  her  death,  the  tears  which 
she  shed  at  the  mention  of  his  name,  indicated  the  strong 
hold  he  still  retained  on  her  affection. 

Lady  Huntingdon  now  took  up  her  residence  at  the 
favourite  seat  of  the  Earl,  at  Donnington  Park.  The 
ancient  mansion  was  then  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  park 
which  abounded  with  fine  old  majestic  oaks,  and  other 
forest  trees.  The  grounds  were  diversified  by  rising  hills 
and  sweeping  valleys;  and  near  the  northern  extremity, 
were    broken    into     craggy    precipices    with     hanging 


28  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

woodS;  wliich  gave  a  wild  and  romantic  feature  to  the 
scenery. 

The  situation  of  Ladj  Huntingdon  was  congenial  to 
lier  feelings  and  desires.  She  often  visited  the  court, 
where  her  position  was  high  and  influential;  and  received 
the  marked  attention  of  King  George;  but  her  heart 
was  by  no  means  at  ease  when  surrounded  by  the  gay 
and  the  frivolous.  Her  station  required  her  to  visit  the 
higher  circles,  and  to  mingle  with  the  fashionable  world ; 
yet  the  seriousness  of  her  mind  kept  her  from  participat- 
ing in  the  follies  of  the  great,  and  deriving  any  real  plea- 
sure from  the  gaieties  of  life.  She  rejoiced  when  the 
season  came  that  she  might  return  to  the  quiet  seclusion 
of  Donnington  Park,  and  gratify  her  benevolence  by  her 
pious  deeds.  She  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
her  neighbours  and  dependents.'  She  entered  the  abodes 
of  poverty,  and  enriched  the  inmates  with  her  charities. 
Often  might  she  be  seen  standing  over  the  sick  and  the 
dying,  administering  to  their  temporal  wants,  and  reading 
to  them  the  sacred  Scriptures.  Many  were  the  benedic- 
tions which  her  good  deeds  drew  from  those  whom  she 
had  benefited;  and  she  was  called  '^Lady  Bountiful"  by 
the  grateful  recipients  of  her  favours.  To  her  now 
might  be  applied  the  character  which  was  afterwards 
written  under  the  name  of  Aspasia  in  the  forty-second 
number  of  the  Tatler.  ''  Methinks  I  now  see  her  walk 
ing  in  her  garden,  like  our  first  parent,  with  -unaffected 
charms,  before  beauty  had  spectators ;  and  bearing  celes- 
tial conscious  virtue  in  her  aspect.  Her  countenance  is 
the  lively  picture  of  her  mind,  which  is  the  seat  of  hon- 
our, truth,  compassion,  knowledge,  and  innocence.  In 
the  midst  of  the  most  ample  fortune,  and  veneration  of 
all  that  behold  and  know  her,  V/'ithout  the  least  affecta- 
tion, she  consults  retirement,  the  contemplation  of  her 
own  being,  and  that  Supreme  Power  which  bestowed  it. 
Without  the  learning  of  schools,  or  the  knowledge  of  a 


SELF     RIGHTEOUSNESS.  29 

long  course  of  arguments,  slie  goes  on  in  a  steady  course 
of  11  n interrupted  piety  and  virtue;  and  adds  to  the 
severity  and  privacy  of  the  last  age,  all  the  freedom  and 
ease  of  this.  The  language  and  mien  of  a  court  she  is 
possessed  of  in  the  highest  degree;  but  the  simplicity 
and  humble  thoughts  of  a  cottage  are  her  more  welcome 
entertainments.  Aspasia  is  a  female  philosopher,  who 
does  not  only  live  up  to  the  resignation  of  the  most  re- 
tired lives  of  the  ancient  sages,  but  also  to  the  schemes 
and  plans  which  they  thought  beautiful,  though  inimita- 
ble. This  lady  is  the  most  exact  economist,  without  ap- 
pearing busy ;  the  most  strictly  virtuous,  without  taking 
the  praise  of  it:  and  shuns  applause  with  as  much  in- 
dustry as  others  do  reproach." 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  this  period  an  utter  stranger 
to  the  spiritual  character  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  She 
saw  not  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart,  as  she  after- 
wards discerned  it ;  she  knew  nothing  of  salvation  by 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  the  regenerating  power  of 
the  Iloly  Spirit ;  and  had  not  yet  experienced  that  peace 
of  mind  which  passeth  all  understanding,  and  that  joy 
which  is  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  She  afterwards 
felt  and  declared  that  she  was  now  aiming  to  establish 
her  own  righteousness,  and  endeavouring  by  prayer,  fast- 
ing, and  alms-deeds,  to  recommend  herself  to  the  favour 
of  Heaven.  She  entertained  high  opinions  resi^ecting 
the  dignity  of  human  nature ;  and  aspired  to  reach,  by 
her  own  works,  the  lofty  standard  she  had  placed  before 
her.  She  strove  after  moral  perfection,  and  shaped  her 
conduct  by  the  principles  she  had  imbibed.  It  cannot  be 
wondered  at,  that  she  surpassed  her  equals  by  birth,  and 
the  multitudes  around  her.  She  was  a  strict  observer  of 
her  duties  in  the  various  relations  of  life ;  rigidly  just  in 
her  dealings,  and  true  to  her  word.  She  was  liberal  in 
her  sentiments,  prudent  in  her  conduct,  courteous  in  her 
deportment,  and  profuse  in  her  charities.     Truth  found 


30  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

in  her  a  diligent  student ;  virtue,  a  most  strenuous  advo- 
cate ;  the  Scriptures,  a  devout  and  prayerful  reader ;  and 
public  worship,  a  regular  and  constant  attendant.  Her 
moral  accomplishments  were  so  many  and  so  distin- 
guished, that  she  was  admired  by  the  world ;  and  looked 
down  upon  herself  with  self-complacency,  as  su^Dcrior  in 
virtue,  and  eminent  piety  to  those  around  her. 

Nor  was  Lady  Huntingdon  at  all  singular  in  cherishing 
such  feelings  in  her  heart.  There  is  nothing  more  grate- 
ful to  our  pride,  than  to  indulge  in  lofty  conceptions  of 
human  nature.  It  flatters  our  vanity  to  imagine  that  we 
are  able  to  recommend  ourselves  to  God  by  our  good 
deeds.  The  men  of  the  world  would  much  rather  work 
out  a  righteousness  of  their  own,  than  receive  the  right- 
eousness of  Christ.  They  take  their  stand  on  the  merit 
of  their  good  works,  and  trust  that  it  will  avail  for  their 
justification  with  God.  They  have  erroneous  conceptions 
of  themselves,  of  the  position  they  sustain  towards  God, 
the  consequences  their  sins  have  entailed,  and  the  nature 
of  Christ's  mediatorial  work.  One  conviction  takes 
possession  of  their  mind, — that  something  must  be  done 
by  them  ;  and  aroused  by  the  hope  of  gaining  peace,  joy, 
and  heaven,  they  diligently  endeavour  to  work  out  their 
own  salvation.  They  are  never  successful.  Hope  may 
buoy  them  up  for  a  time,  but  ''hope  deferred  maketh  the 
heart  sick."  The  satisfaction  they  seek  after  rarely  comes ; 
for  though  they  may  pursue  their  course  for  many  years, 
and  may  mistake  self-complacency  for  divine  approbation 
and  insensibility  for  peace,  they  can  never  "rejoice  in 
hope  of  the  glory  of  God''  until  their  minds  have  been 
enlightened  by  heavenly  wisdom,  and  their  hearts  changed 
by  divine  grace, — until  they  have  been  ''  created  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works." 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  far  from  enjoying  the  happiness 
which  she  had  anticipated  would  result  from  her  pious 
endeavours  ;  and  she  redoubled  her  exertions  to  procure 


ILLNESS     OF     THE     COUNTESS.  Si 

the  favour  of  the  Most  High.  Her  sister-in-law  Lady 
Margaret  Hastings  had  been  awakened  to  see  the  truth, 
and  often  conversed  with  her  respecting  the  concerns  of 
her  souL  The  joy  and  happiness  she  experienced  formed 
a  strange  contrast  to  the  state  of  Lady  Huntingdon's 
mind,  who  soon  perceived  that  she  had  not  realized  what 
she  had  been  vainly  striving  after.  The  peace  of  mind 
which  flows  from  faith  in  Christ  had  not  entered  her 
heart ;  she  felt  that  she  was  unworthy  to  appear  before 
God,  that  her  best  deeds  were  not  sufficient  to  establish 
her  righteousness,  and  that  pride  and  self-satisfaction  had 
mingled  with  all  her  thoughts  and  feelings.  The  dis- 
covery of  her  sinfulness  greatly  harassed  her,  and  her 
mind  was  filled  with  the  most  distressing  doubts.  Again 
she  strove  to  conquer  her  evil  nature  by  rigorous  austeri- 
ties, and  more  self-denying  labours  ;  but  the  harder  she 
sought  to  work  out  her  own  justification,  the  more  she 
became  convinced  of  her  inability  to  accomplish  the 
task. 

A  dangerous  illness  soon  laid  the  Countess  low,  and 
brought  her  to  the  confines  of  the  grave.  Her  strength 
was  completely  prostrated ;  her  mind  was  dark  and  de- 
sponding ;  the  fear  of  death  fell  upon  her  ;  and  her  con- 
science greatly  distressed  her.  She  looked  back  on  her 
past  career,  but  could  not  linger  on  a  single  portion  of  it 
with  satisfaction.  Her  former  deeds  were  stripped  of  the 
charm  they  once  had ;  the  piety,  virtue,  and  morality,  in 
which  she  had  trusted,  appeared  to  her  tainted  with  sin  ; 
she  perceived  that  she  had  been  ignorant  of  her  own  cha 
racter,  had  been  building  her  hopes  on  imaginary  found- 
ations, and  had  been  satisfied  with  a  mere  visionary 
happiness  which  a  single  ray  of  light  had  dispelled.  Her 
mind  was  deeply  alBfected  with  the  thought  of  God's  holy 
nature  ;  she  dreaded  the  idea  of  standing  in  his  presence 
to  render  an  account  of  her  deeds ;  her  heart  appeared 
full  of  sin  and  deceit ;  her  condemnation  was  the  only 


32  M  E  M  0  I  K     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

sound  wMcli  fell  upon  her  ears  ;  slie  recoiled  from  tlie  cer- 
tainty of  a  dark  and  dreadful  eternity  ;  and  she  saw  no 
hope  of  escape  from  the  punishment  threatened  by  the  law. 
God;  however,  had  been  preparing  the  way  for  light  to 
be  brought  to  her  desponding  soul.  A  powerful  religi- 
ous movement  had  been  commenced,  which  created  great 
excitement  abroad;  the  report  of  the  singular  preaching 
of  the  Methodists  reached  Don nington  Park;  the  truth 
impressed  some  members  of  the  Hastings  family ;  and 
through  them,  Lady  Huntingdon  was  directed  to  the  only 
source  whence  she  could  obtain  peace  and  joy.  To  the 
delineation  of  these  events  we  must  next  proceed. 


GEORGE      WniTEFIELD.  33 


CHAPTER  II.    A.  D.  1738—1739. 

THE  SOCIAL  AND  RELIGIOUS  CONDITION  OF  ENGLAND. — RISE 
OF  METHODISM  AT  OXFORD. — JOHN  WESLEY. — GEORGE 
WHITEFIELD. — THE  STARTLING  LABOURS  OP  THE  METHO- 
DISTS.— PROVINCE  OF  GEORGIA. — WHITEFIELD'S  PREACH- 
ING.— LORD  Huntingdon's  sisters  converted  through 

MR.  INGHAM. — THE  COUNTESS  ENJOYS  PEACE. — OPPOSI- 
TION OF  THE  WORLD. — DR.  BENSON. — DR.  SOUTHEY. — THE 
COURT  CIRCLE. — FETTER  LANE  CHAPEL. — THE  NOBILITY 
FLOCK  TO  WHITEFIELD  THROUGH  LADY  HUNTINGDON'S 
INFLUENCE. 

The  domestic  condition  of  England  had  been  for  some 
time  past  in  a  very  unsatisfactory  state.  A  spirit  of  indif- 
ference had  crept  over  the  various  sections  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  the  people  were  left  to  the  mercy  of  designing 
men.  An  inordinate  thirst  for  wealth  was  manifested  by 
all  parties,  and  the  most  extravagant  visions  floated  before 
the  eyes  of  the  people.  Bubbles  were  easily  blown  to  catch 
the  rapacious  spirit  of  the  age.  All  the  distinctions  of  party, 
religion,  sex,  character,  and  circumstances  melted  before 
the  rage  for  gold.  Exchange-alley  was  filled  with  a  strange 
concourse  of  statesmen  and  clergymen,  churchmen  and  dis- 
senters, whigs  and  tories,  physicians,  lawyers,  tradesmen, 
and  even  with  multitudes  of  women.  The  effect  was  highly 
injurious  to  morals  and  religion.  Robbers,  assassins,  and 
incendiaries  infested  every  part  of  the  country  ;  acts  of 
ferocious  brutality  were  openly  committed ;  letters  were 
circulated  demanding  money  from  individuals,  and  threat, 
ening  to  lire  their  houses  if  the  demand  were  refused  ;  and 
the  greatest  alarm  and  terror  pervaded  all  classes.  Luxury 
vice,  and  profligacy  increased  to  a  woeful  extent.     The 


34  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

fortunate  speculators  indulged  themselves  in  the  richest 
dainties,  and  the  most  splendid  equipages.  They  were 
intoxicated  with  pride  and  vain-glory ;  they  gave  unbri- 
dled license  to  their  passions,  scoffed  at  religion  and  mo- 
rality, and  set  an  example  which  was  but  too  easily  im- 
itated by  the  majority  of  the  people. 

The  influence  of  the  Church  was  by  no  means  calcu- 
lated to  stem  the  torrent  of  ungodliness.  In  the  Estab- 
lishment, the  high  dignitaries  were  more  eager  to  secure 
power  and  emolument  than  to  rescue  the  people  from 
sin.  A  cold  morality  and  a  withering  Arminianism  had 
usurped  the  place  of  evangelical  religion  ;  the  sermons 
were  sedatives,  and  never  touched  the  conscience  ;  and  the 
flocks  were  uncared  for,  and  exposed  to  the  attacks  of 
evil.  Infidelity  was  every  where  rampant.  The  press 
teemed  with  deistical  works  :  wit,  satire,  and  poetry  lent 
their  charms  to  foster  profligacy  of  manners  ;  and  to  such 
an  extent  had  this  proceeded  that  a  bill  was  introduced 
into- the  House  of  Lords  in  1721,  for  the  suppression  of 
blasphemy  and  profaneness,  which,  after  a  long  and 
stormy  debate,  was  rejected  by  a  large  majority.  The 
state  of  religion  among  the  dissenting  communities  Avas 
scarcely  more  favourable.  A  worldly  spirit  had  blighted 
the  piety  for  which  they  were  once  conspicuous ;  and 
they  shared  in  the  surrounding  contagion.  The  congre- 
gations of  many  chapels  had  dwindled  away  under  the 
repulsive  errors  of  Socinianism  ;  the  spirit  and  life  of  the 
old  Puritans  were  nearly  extinct ;  and  a  cold  formality 
appeared  equally  in  the  meeting  house,  and  in  the  parish 
church.  It  is  true  there  were  a  few  men  in  each  com- 
munity who  were  filled  with  Evangelical  truth  and  holy 
zeal ;  but  the  very  prominence  they  gained  only  indicated 
the  darkness  which  was  spread  over  the  people.  A  light, 
however,  was  silently  being  prepared,  which  soon  was  to 
burst  upon  the  nation,  struggle  with  the  surrounding 
darkness,  and  enkindle  the  flame  of  true  religion. 


GEORGE     WHITEFIELD.  35 

In  ISTovember  1729,  four  young  men  at  Oxford  univer- 
sity formed  themselves  into  a  society  ;  and  agreed  to  meet 
several  evenings  in  the  week  to  read  the  Greek  New  Tes- 
tament, and  to  promote  their  spiritual  concerns  ;  among 
whom  were  John  and  Charles  Wesley,  who  afterwards 
gained  great  noteriety  as   the  leaders  of  the  Arminian 
section  of  Methodism.     They  entered  into  solemn  engage- 
ments to  lead  holier  and  more  self-denying  lives ;  they 
read  the  scriptures,  prayed,  and  fasted  with   great  dili- 
gence ;  went  to  the  sacrament  every  Lord's  day  ;  and  were 
gradually  led  to  see  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.     Their  zeal 
increased  with  the  clearness  of  their  apprehension  of  divine 
things ;  they  strengthened  each  others'  piety  and  love ; 
visited  the  prisoners  in  the  goal,  and  instructed  them  in 
religion :  devoted  two  or  three  hours  a  week  to  the  poor 
and  sick  around,  and  denied  themselves  the  comforts  of 
life  that  they  might  be  able  to  minister  to  the  wants 
of  the  needy.     Their  self-sacrificing  efforts  provoked  the 
hostility  of  the  college  authorities  ;  they  were  branded  as 
Methodists,  and  treated  as  enthusiasts ;  but  all  the  oppo- 
sition they  met  with  could  not  quench  the  ardour  of  their 
zeal.    In  1732,  the  society  was  increased  to  fifteen  persons : 
and   among   them   were   Mr.   Ingham,    who   afterwards 
became  the  brother-iujlaw  of  Lord  Huntingdon  ;  Mr.  Her- 
vey,  the  renowned  author  of  the  "  Meditations  ;  "  and  that 
remarkable  man,    who  for  many  years  was  chaplain  to 
the   Countess,    and  the   great   leader  of  the  Calvinistic 
Methodists. 

George  Whitefield  was  the  youngest  son  of  an  inn- 
keeper at  Gloucester,  and  was  born  Dec.  16th,  1714.  He 
received  a  good  education  in  his  youth,  and  gained  loud 
applause  at  St.  Mary's  grammer  school  in  his  native  city 
for  his  graceful  elocution  and  good  memory,  which  enabled 
him  to  pronounce  the  recitations  before  the  corporation 
with  great  effect.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  left  school  to 
assist  his  mother  at  the  inn  ;  where  he  fostered  the  religious 


36     MEMOIR  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 

impressions  he  had  early  received,  and  composed  two 
sermons  which  he  dedicated  to  his  brother.  The  inn 
passed  into  the  hands  of  his  eldest  brother ;  and  George 
after  a  time  left  it,  and  again  lived  with  his  mother.  His 
heart  was  fixed  on  a  residence  at  Oxford ;  but  his  scanty 
means  forbade  him  to  hope  for  its  realizatioD.  One  day, 
however,  an  Oxford  student,  a  servitor  of  Pembroke 
College,  visited  his  mother,  and  related  how  he  had  just 
cleared  his  expenses  there  by  his  services.  ''  This  will  do 
for  my  son,"  exclaimed  the  gladdened  mother,  and  turning 
to  George,  said,  "Will  you  go  to  Oxford  ?"  "With  all  my 
heart,"  he  replied.  Application  was  made  to  some  friends 
wdio  promised  to  assist  him ;  he  returned  to  the  grammar 
school,  and  prepared  himself  for  the  university  ;  and  in  his 
eighteenth  year  set  out  for  Pembroke  College,  which  he 
entered  as  a  servitor.  He  was  quickly  surrounded  by  the 
gay  and  the  thoughtless:  but  being  shocked  by  their 
impiety  and  immorality,  he  strenuously  avoided  their 
society :  and  by  his  diligence,  learning,  and  obliging  dis- 
position, he  gained  many  friends.  Soon  after  he  had  taken 
up  his  residence  at  Oxford,  he  heard  of  the  young  men 
who  were  branded  as  Methodists,  and  desired  to  join  them : 
but  his  diffidence  kept  him  aloof,  until  Charles  Wesley 
introduced  him  to  the  little  band.  Whitefield  not  only 
conformed  to  the  rules  of  the  society,  but  far  exceeded  his 
companions  in  bodily  austerities.  His  anxiety  for  sal- 
vation led  him  to  shut  himself  up  in  his  study,  to  fast  and 
to  pray,  till  he  became  so  weak  that  he  could  scarcel}^ 
walk.  "When  I  knelt  down,"  he  says,  "I  felt  great  pres- 
sures both  on  soul  and  body,  and  have  often  prayed  under 
the  weight  of  them  till  the  sweat  came  through  me.  Whole 
days  and  weeks  have  I  spent,  lying  prostrate  on  the 
ground,  in  silent  and  vocal  prayer."  At  length  he  was 
led  to  see  the  truth  in  Christ,  which  filled  his  soul  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 
These  devoted  young  men  soon  commenced  preaching 


wiiitefield's   preaching.  37 

the  truths  which  had  impressed  and  gladdened  their  own 
souls.  John  Wesley  for  a  short  time  served  his  father 
in  the  parish  church  at  Epworth  :  and  then  returned  to 
Oxford  that  he  might  encourage  the  society,  and  imbue 
his  pupils  with  religious  fervour.  A  new  sphere  of 
labour,  however,  now  invited  his  serious  attention.  In 
1732,  a  colony  was  founded  in  North  America  by  a  pri- 
vate company,  which  received  the  name  of  Georgia,  in 
honor  of  King  George  II.  General  Oglethorpe  was 
appointed  Governor,  who,  in  1733,  established  the  town 
of  Savannah.  The  trustees  were  anxious  to  procure 
proper  persons  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  colonists,  and 
to  the  surrounding  heathen.  John  Wesley  and  his 
friends  were  applied  to  ;  and  after  much  prayer  and  con- 
sultation, he  consented  to  leave  his  native  land,  and 
enter  upon  the  wide  American  field  thrown  open  to  him. 
On  the  14th  of  October,  1735,  John  Wesley,  his  brother 
Charles,  and  Mr.  Ingham,  who  had  been  ordained  by  Dr. 
Potter,  bishop  of  Oxford,  embarked  for  Georgia,  and 
safely  landed  February  6th,  1736.  Their  success  was 
not  equal  to  their  expectations,  probably  because  they 
were  too  sanguine ;  still,  they  prepared  the  way  for  the 
energetic  labours  of  Whitefield,  and  the  missionaries 
which  Lady  Huntingdon  afterwards  sent  out.  They 
became  acquainted  with  the  Moravian  brethren,  who 
produced  such  a  favorable  impression  as  to  give  a  direc- 
tion and  tone  to  the  early  efforts  of  the  Methodists.  Mr. 
Ingham  preached  to  the  Indians,  founded  schools,  and 
composed  an  Indian  grammer  for  their  use ;  and  returned 
to  England  in  the  latter  end  of  1736.  Mr.  Charles 
Wesley  sailed  to  procure  fresh  preachers  and  teachers  ; 
and  his  brother  arrived  in  England  February  3rd,  1738. 
Meanwhile  George  Whitefield  visited  his  native  city, 
and  attracted  attention  by  his  pious  labours  among  the 
poor  and  the  goal  prisoners.  Dr.  Benson,  the  tutor  of 
Lord  Huntingdon,  was  then  bishop  of  Gloucester;  and 

4 


38  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

hearing  of  the  piety  of  Whitefield,  he  presented  him  with 
live  guineas,  and  ordained  him  in  the  cathedral  June  20th, 
1736.  The  following  sabbath  the  youthful  orator  deliv- 
ered his  first  sermon  in  St.  Mary's  Church.  Curiosity 
drew  a  vast  audience  ;  and  he  preached  with  remarkable 
animation  and  energy.  He  says,  "  Some  few  mocked,  but 
most  for  the  present  seemed  struck  ;  and  I  have  since 
heard  that  a  complaint  had  been  made  to  the  bishop  that 
I  drove  fifteen  people  mad  the  first  sermon."  He  went 
to  London,  and  made  his  first  appearance  there  in 
Bishopsgate  Church,  and  laboured  in  the  Tower  Chapel 
for  two  months  with  great  zeal  and  success.  He. had 
received  many  pressing  invitations  to  follow  his  friends 
to  America  ;  and  when  Charles  Wesley  returned,  the 
accounts  he  gave  of  the  colony,  and  of  the  Indians  induced 
Whitefield  to  pay  a  visit  to  Georgia.  Before  he  left, 
however,  he  visited  his  friends  in.  various  parts  of  the 
country.  His  fame  spread  rapidly  throughout  the  nation ; 
the  churches  were  crowded,  almost  to  suffocation  ;  and 
the  people  listened  with  rapture  to  his  thrilling  addresses, 
which  were  frequently  interrupted  by  sobs  and  strong- 
cries.  Oh  his  second  visit  to  Bristol,  before  his  voyage, 
he  was  met  about  a  mile  from  the  city  by  multitudes  on 
foot,  and  some  in  coaches  ;  the  streets  were  lined  with 
spectators,  who  blessed  him  as  he  passed  ;  and  the 
congregations  were  more  numerous  than  he  had  ever 
witnessed.  ''Some,"  he  says,  "hung  upon  the  rails, 
others  climbed  up  the  leads  of  the  church  ;  and  altogether 
the  church  was  so  hot  with  their  breath,  that  the  steam 
would  fall  from  the  pillars  like  drops  of  rain."  He 
preached  twice  at  Bath,  and  again  at  Bristol  and  Glou- 
cester :  and  then  came  to  London,  where  similar  marvel- 
lous crowds  folloAved  him.  He  generally  preached  nine 
times  a  week,  and  collected  thousands  of  pounds  for 
various  charities.  The  assemblies  were  so  great  that  the 
largest  churches  could  not  contain  them ;  and  the  multi- 


whitefield's    preaching.  39 

tudes  thronging  the  doors  were  obliged  to  be  kept  back 
by  the  constables.  His  popularity,  however,  stirred  up 
many  enemies  among  the  clergy  ;  several  pulpits  were 
closed  against  him  ;  numerous  complaints  respecting  him 
v^ere  lodged  with  the  bishop :  and  perhaps  active  meas- 
ures would  have  been  taken  to  attempt  to  put  him  down, 
if  he  had  not  been  on  the  point  of  leaving  England.  The 
ship  which  conveyed  him  to  Georgia,  set  sail,  just  as  the 
vessel,  which  brought  John  Wesley  home,  entered  the 
harbour. 

Among  those  who  were  induced  from  motives  of 
curiosity  to  listen  to  the  preaching  of  the  Methodists, 
were  the  sisters  of  Lord  Huntingdon.  They  were  deeply 
impressed  with  the  truth  they  heard  from  Mr.  Ingham 
in  Yorkshire,  and  were  led  to  see  the  insufficiency 
of  their  own  unrighteousness  to  secure  the  favour  of 
God.  The  plan  of  salvation  by  faith  in  Christ  was 
clearly  unfolded  to  them  ;  and  they  were  enabled  by 
divine  grace  to  put  their  trust  in  Jesus  Christ.  They 
made  a  public  profession  of  their  change,  and  availed 
themselves  of  every  opportunity  to  strengthen  their  faith, 
and  increase  their  zeal.  They  manifested  great  anxiety 
for  the  salvation  of  others,  but  confined  their  early  efforts 
to  their  family  circle.  Lady  Margaret  Hastings  was  the 
first  to  receive  the  truth,  and  to  exhibit  in  her  daily  life 
the  important  change  which  had  been  wrought  in  her 
heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  Next  to  the  salvation  of  her 
own  soul,  that  of  her  family  and  friends  became  the 
object  of  her  constant  care.  She  exhorted  them  faith- 
fully and  affectionately  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come ; 
and  God  was  pleased  to  make  her  the  honored  instrument 
of  the  conversion  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  of  many  of 
her  family. 

Lady  Huntingdon  often  conversed  with  her  on  religious 
topics,  and  was  exceedingly  struck  with  one  of  her 
remarks,  "  that  since  she  had  known  and  believed  in  the 


40  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDON. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  life  and  salvation,  she  had  been  as 
happy  as  an  angel."  The  Countess  had  never  derived 
such  happiness  from  her  religion ;  and  the  contrast  led 
her  on  reflection  to  see  her  own  dark  and  sinful  condition. 
Her  illness  increased  the  despondency  of  her  mind ;  and 
she  was  about  to  give  up  all  hope  of  salvation,  when  the 
words  of  Lady  Hastings  were  brought  to  her  recollection, 
and  revived  her  spirits.  She  felt  a  strong  desire  to 
relinquish  every  other  method,  and  to  cast  herself  wholly 
upon  Christ.  This  desire  she  expressed  in  fervent 
prayer  to  God,  and  was  shortly  after  realized.  Her 
mind  was  enlightened  to  discern  the  truth  ;  her  heart  was 
softened  to  feel  its  power ;  soon  her  doubts  vanished,  her 
fears  departed,  and  she  was  filled  with  joy  and  peace  in 
believing.  The  dark  and  terrible  night  had  now  passed, 
and  was  succeeded  by  the  dawn  of  a  day  which  was  clear, 
beautiful,  and  refulgent  with  the  increasing  brightness 
of  the  Sun  of  Eighteousness.  She  became  a  new  creature, 
and  was  amazed  at  the  wondrous  change  which  had 
passed  over  her.  She  regarded  herself  as  a  brand 
plucked  from  the  burning ;  she  had  well-nigh  perished, 
and  had  been  snatched  from  the  brink  of  Hell  by  the 
power  of  God.  The  contrast  between  her  former  condi- 
tion and  her  present  state  was  so  great,  that  she  was 
lifted,  as  it  were,  from  sorrow  to  joy,  from  despair  to 
hope,  from  death  to  life.  Every  power  and  principle  of 
her  nature  was  thrilled  with  the  rich  feeling  of  gratitude  ; 
the  change  in  her  heart  exerted  a  beneficial  influence  on 
her  body  ;  her  disorder  took  a  favorable  turn  ;  she  was 
at  length  restored  to  perfect  health;  and  she  solemnly 
dedicated  herself  to  God  as  a  living  sacrifice,  holy  and 
acceptable  to  the  Lord.  When  John  and  Charles  Wesley 
soon  after  preached  in  the  neighborhood  of  Donnington 
Park,  she  sent  a  kind  message  to  them,  acknowledging 
that  she  was  one  in  heart  with  them,  bidding  them  go  on 
in  the  great  work  of  the  Lord,  and  assuring  them  of  her 


O  P  i'  O  S  1  1 1  O  N     U  F     T  11  E     ^\'  O  il  L  D  .  41 

determination  to  live  to  promote  the  glory  of  that  Saviour 
who  had  died  for  her. 

The  terrible  struggle,  through  which  Lady  Huntingdon 
had  passed,  had  the  efiect  of  rendering  her  convictions 
more  powerful,  her  experience  more  varied,  and  her  zeal 
more  energetic,  than  perhaps  they  otherwise  would  have 
been.  Her  mind  was  now  calm  and  peaceful,  and  rapidly 
gained  a  clear  insight  into  the  distioguishing  doctrines 
of  the  gospel ;  her  will  was  bent  in  lowly  submission  to 
the  will  of  God,  and  concentrated  its  energy  to  maintain 
an  unwavering  obedience  to  the  divine  commands.  Her 
heart  was  enraptured  with  the  grand  views  she  obtained 
of  God,  and  of  her  Saviour ;  and  as  she  entwined  her 
affections  around  the  objects  which  were  alone  worthy 
of  them,  and  experienced  the  love  of  Christ  constraining 
her,  she  felt  that  her  praises  could  never  be  too  extrava- 
gant, nor  her  gratitude  sufficiently  ardent,  for  the  inesti- 
mable blessings  she  had  received.  The  language  of  her 
heart,  as  well  as  of  her  lips,  was  beautifully  expressed 
by  her  friend  Dr.  Watts, 

"  Were  the  whole  realm  of  nature  mine. 
That  were  a  present  far  to  small ; 
Love,  so  amazing,  so  divine. 
Demands  my  soul,  my  life,  my  all." 

The  change  which  she  had  experienced  was  very 
speedily  manifested  in  her  outward  conduct.  Eeligion 
had  taken  too  strong  a  hold  upon  her  inner  nature  to  be 
restrained  by  the  fear  of  man,  or  the  frowns  of  the  world. 
She  openly  confessed  her  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
warmly  supported  those  who  preached  the  simple  gospel. 
Her  friends  were  astonished  at  her  conduct,  and  unable 
to  comprehend  the  spiritual  darkness  through  which  she 
had  passed,  and  the  spiritual  happiness  she  now  enjoyed, 
ridiculed  her  as  a  fanatic,  and  exclaimed,  as  Festus  did 
to  Paul,  ''Thou  art  beside  thyself!"  Some  nobles  even 
wished  Lord  Huntingdon  to  interpose  his  authority,  and 


42  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

forbid  her  to  continue  her  proceeding ;  but  though  he 
differed  from  her  in  his  views  of  religion^  he  had  too 
much  respect  for  her  love  and  sincerity  to  interfere  in 
her  religious  concerns.  He  recommended  her  to  converse 
with  Dr.  Benson,  his  former  tutor,  and  now  bishop  of 
Gloucester ;  and  she  readily  complied  with  his  request. 
The  learned  dignitary  was  sent  for  ;  and  he  attempted  to 
convince  her  that  her  conduct  and  sentiments  were 
unnecessarily  strict.  She,  however,  was  prepared  for  the 
contest ;  she  brought  many  arguments  from  the  Articles 
and  Homilies,  and  quoted  appropriate  passages  of  Scrip- 
ture to  vindicate  her  conduct :  and  so  clearly  and  faithfully 
set  before  the  prelate  his  duties  and  responsibilities,  that 
his  temper  was  rufiled,  he  rose  up  in  haste  to  depart,  and 
bitterly  lamented  that  he  had  ever  ordained  George 
Whitefield,  to  whom  he  attributed  the  change  which  had 
taken  place  in  her  mind.  ''My  Lord,"  said  Lady 
Huntingdon,  '^  mark  my  words :  when  you  are  on  your 
dying  bed,  that  will  be  one  of  the  few  ordinations  you 
will  reflect  upon  with  complacence."  The  prediction  of 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  verified  by  the  conduct  of  the 
bishop  a  short  time  before  his  death.  He  then  expressed 
his  high  regard  for  Whitefield,  sent  him  ten  guineas  as  a 
mark  of  his  respect,  and  begged  to  be  remembered  by 
him  in  his  prayers. 

Dr.  Southey,  in  his  life  of  Wesley,  has  uublushingly 
asserted  that  the  religious  feelings  of  Lady  Huntingdon 
originated  in  a  decided  insanity  in  her  family ;  a  statement 
which  is  false  as  to  fact,  and  betrays  his  great  ignorance 
of  what  he  writes  about ;  and  he  adds,  that  all  the 
arguments  of  Bishop  Benson  were  ineffectual  to  bring 
her  to  a  saner  sense  of  devotion.  Such  a  statement 
would  not  have  deserved  notice,  were  it  not  that  the 
talents  and  reputation  of  the  Poet  Laureate  might  be 
regarded  by  many  as  a  guarantee  fur  its  validity.  Truly, 
if  such   be  insanity,  England   presented  a  very  sorry 


THE     COURT     CIRCLE.  43 

spectacle  daring  the  days  of  Wesley  and  Whitefield. 
Hundreds  and  thousands  were  similarly  affected  as  the 
Countess  ;  some  of  the  stars  of  the  English  nobility  were 
like-minded  ;  and  even  Kings  and  Princes  consorted  with, 
and  highly  appreciated  the  insane!  The  illusions  of 
Southey  were  so  completely  scattered,  and  his  misrepre- 
sentations and  ridicule  so  thoroughly  exposed,  that  his 
royal  patron  George  lY.,  exclaimed  with  feelings  of  pity, 
when  reading  the  animadversions  upon  him,  •'  Oh  my 
poor  Poet  Laureate  !  Oh  my  poor  Poet  Laureate  !  "  No 
one  can  peruse  the  letters  of  Lady  Huntingdon  without 
being  struck  with  the  intellectual  power,  the  good 
common  sense,  and  the  wise  discrimination  which  they 
exhibit.  She  lived  in  an  age  of  great  excitement,  and 
of  mighty  religious  fervour,  when  the  power  of  the  Spirit 
was  marvellously  displayed ;  and  her  conduct  appeared 
strange,  only  because,  for  some  time  previous,  religion 
had  been  but  little  more  than  a  name,  and  the  church 
and  the  world  had  been  slumbering  in  spiritual  insensi- 
bility. 

Before  the  great  change  had  passed  over  her,  Lady 
Huntingdon  had  been  much  at  court,  and  numbered 
among  her  acquaintances,  most  of  the  celebrated  charac- 
ters of  the  day.  She  was  on  terms  of  great  intimacy 
with  the  polished  Lord  Bolingbroke ;  and  her  frequent 
visits  to  Twickenham,  at  the  residence  of  her  aunt.  Lady 
Fanny  Shirley,  brought  her  into  the  society  of  many  of 
the  literary  men  of  the  age.  Among  her  personal  friends 
were  the  witty  and  eccentric  Lady  Townshend,  and  Lady 
Mary  Wortley  Montague,  the  rival  of  her  aunt  at  court, 
whose  splendid  talents  threw  an  inexpressible  charm 
even  around  the  brilliant  court  circle.  When  the 
rupture  took  place  between  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  his 
father  George  IL,  and  the  Prince  set  up  his  own  court  at 
Kew,  Lady  Huntingdon  attended  it ;  though  she  gradually 
discontinued  her  visits,  that  she  might  have  more  time 


44  M  E  ]\I  O  I  K     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

and  opportunity  for  doing  good.  Her  frequent  absence 
was  noticed,  and  provoked  the  sarcasm  of  many  wlio 
were  in  the  habit  of  attending  it.  One  day  the  Prince 
of  Wales  inquired  of  Lady  Charlotte  Edwin  where  Lady 
Huntingdon  was,  that  she  so  seldom  visited  the  circle. 
Lady  Charlotte  replied  with  a  sneer,  "  I  suppose  praying 
with  her  beggars."  The  Prince  shook  his  head,  and 
turning  to  her  Ladyship,  said,  ''Lady  Charlotte,  when 
I  am  dying,  I  think  I  shall  be  happy  to  seize  the  skirt 
of  Lady  Huntingdon's  mantle,  to  lift  me  up  with  her 
to  heaven."  This  lady  afterwards  became  very  intimate 
with  the  Countess,  and  constantly  attended  the  ministry 
of  her  preachers. 

Lady  Huntingdon  throughout  her  life  took  a  deep 
interest  in  everything  which  concerned  the  best  interests 
of  the  nation.  At  one  time  she  manifested  great  eager- 
ness on  political  subjects,  and  an  incident  occured  in 
1738,  in  which  she,  with  other  noble  ladies,  became  very 
conspicuous.  In  the  month  of  May  there  were  some 
very  stormy  debates  in  the  House  of  Lords,  respecting 
the  depredations  of  the  Spaniards,  in  which  the  Earl  of 
Huntingdon  and  several  of  his  friends  took  an  active 
part.  Lady  Mary  Wortley  Montague  has  given  a  spirited, 
humorous  description  of  this  affair.  ''  At  the  last  warm 
debate  in  the  House  of  Lords,  it  was  unanimously 
resolved  that  there  should  be  no  unnecessary  auditors ; 
consequently  the  fair  sex  were  excluded,  and  the  gallery 
destined  to  the  sole  use  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Notwithstanding  this  determination,  a  tribe  of  dames 
resolved  to  show,  on  this  occasion,  that  neither  men  nor 
laws  could  resist  them.  These  heroines  were  Lady 
Huntingdon,  the  Duchess  of  Queensbury,  the  Duchess 
of  Ancaster,  Lady  Westmorland,  Lady  Cobham,  Lady 
Charlotte  Edwin,  Lady  Archibald  Hamilton  and  her 
daughter  Mrs.  Scott,  Mrs  Pendarves,  and  Lady  Frances 
Saundcrson.     I  am  thus  particular  in  their  names  since 


THE     COURT     CIKCLE.  45 

I  looked  upon  them  as  the  boldest  assertors  and  most 
resigned  sufferers  for  liberty  I  ever  read  of.  They 
presented  themselves  at  the  door  at  nine  o'clock  in  the 
morning ;  when  Sir  William  Saunderson  respectfully 
informed  them  that  the  Chancellor  had  made  an  order 
against  their  admittance.  The  Duchess  of  Queensbury, 
as  head  of  the  squadron,  "  pished  "  at  the  ill-breeding  of 
a  mere  lawyer,  and  desired  Sir  William  to  let  them  up 
stairs  privately.  After  some  modest  refusals,  he  swore 
he  Avould  not  admit  them.  Her  Grace,  with  a  noble 
warmth,  answered  that  they  would  come  in,  in  spite  of 
the  Chancellor  and  the  whole  House.  This  being 
reported,  the  Peers  resolved  to  starve  them  out ;  an 
order  was  made  that  the  doors  should  not  be  opened  till 
they  had  raised  their  siege.  These  Amazons  now  showed 
themselves  qualified  for  the  duty  even  of  foot  soldiers ; 
they  stayed  there  till  five  in  the  afternoon  without  any 
sustenance,  every  now  and  then  plying  volleys  of  thumps, 
kicks,  and  raps  with  so  much  violence  against  the  door, 
that  the  speakers  in  the  House  were  scarce  heard.  When 
the  Lords  were  not  to  be  conquered  by  this,  the  two 
Duchesses,  very  well  apprised  of  the  use  of  stratagems  in 
war,  commanded  a  silence  of  half  an  hour ;  and  the  Chan- 
cellor, who  thought  this  a  certain  proof  of  their  absence, 
the  Commons  being  also  very  impatient  to  enter,  gave 
orders  for  the  opening  of  the  door ;  upon  which  they  all 
rushed  in,  pushed  aside  their  competitors,  and  placed 
themselves  in  the  front  rows  of  the  gallery.  They  staid 
there  till  after  eleven,  when  the  House  rose ;  and  during 
the  debate  gave  applause,  and  showed  marks  of  dislike, 
not  only  by  smiles  and  winks,  which  have  always  been 
allowed  in  these  cases,  but  by  noisy  laughs,  and  apparent 
contempts  ;  which  is  supposed  the  true  reason  why  poor 
Lord  Hervey  spoke  so  miserably." 

In  1738  the  first  Methodist  Society  was  formed  in  the 
Nevills's  Court  Chapel,  Fetter  Lane,  in  connection  with 


46  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

the  Moravians  ;  in  whose  favour  John  Wesley  had  been 
greatly  prepossessed.  Here  the  eminent  preachers  un- 
tolded  the  truths  of  the  gospel  to  the  thronging  multi- 
tudes :  and  Lord  and  Lady  Huntingdon  often  attended 
their  meetings.  While  Whitefield  was  in  America,  Wes- 
ley was  indefatigable  in  his  labours.  In  London  he 
preached  not  only  in  crowded  churches,  but  to  the  con- 
demned felons  in  Newgate,  and  to  his  little  societies  in 
Bear  Yard,  the  Minories,  and  other  places ;  and  spent  a 
considerable  time  at  Oxford.  The  arrival  of  Whitefield 
from  America  increased  the  excitement  which  prevailed 
in  London.  In  Fetter  Lane  the  services  were  attended 
with  remarkable  scenes.  Whitefield,  the  Wesleys,  Mr- 
Ingham,  Howel  Harris  a  celebrated  Welsh  preacher,  and 
others,  attended  the  love-feasts ;  when  sometimes  whole 
nights  were  spent  in  prayer,  and  many  were  filled  with 
such  joy  that  they  cried  out  and  fell  on  the  ground,  and 
were  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of  the  divine  presence. 
The  clergy,  however,  greatly  discountenanced  their  efforts ; 
and  the  churches  were  gradually  closed  against  these 
zealous  preachers.  Mr.  Ingham  was  very  successful  in 
his  labours  in  Yorkshire ;  the  churches  were  thronged 
with  attentive  hearers ;  and  a  great  awakening  was  pro- 
duced. 

Though  the  Bishop  of  London  had  written  a  pastoral 
letter  against  the  Methodists,  he  accepted  Whitefield's  title, 
and  gave  him  letters  dismissory  to  Dr.  Seeker,  Bishop  of 
Oxford,  who  gave  similar  letters  to  the  Bishop  of  Glouces- 
ter,  through  which  he  was  ordained  priest  at  Oxford  by 
the  same  prelate  who  had  conferred  upon  him  his  deacon's 
orders.  Dr.  Benson  wrote  to  Lord  Huntingdon  an  ac 
count  of  Whitefield's  ordination,  and  expressed  the  hope 
that  the  act  would  give  satisfaction  to  her  Ladyship,  and 
that  she  would  not  have  occasion  again  to  find  fault  with 
the  old  tutor.  '^  Though  mistaken  on  some  points,"  he 
says,  ''  I  think  him  a  very  pious,  well  meaning  young 


DR.    YOUNG.        '  47 

man,  with  good  abilities  and  great  zeal.  I  find  liis  Grace 
of  Canterbury  thinks  highly  of  him.  I  pray  God  graiit 
him  great  success  in  all  his  undertakings  for  the  good  of 
mankind;  and  the  revival  of  true  religion  and  holiness 
among  us,  in  these  degenerate  doys;  in  which  prayer 
your  Lordship  and  my  kind  good  Lady  Huntingdon  will 
most  heartily  join." 

Whitefield  preached  wherever  he  could  obtain  a 
church ;  and  when,  at  length,  they  were  closed  against 
him,  he  stood  in  the  open  air.  "  I  thought "  he  says,  ''  it 
might  be  doing  the  service  of  my  Lord  who  had  a  mountain 
for  his  pulpit,  and  the  heavens  for  his  sounding  board,  and 
who,  when  his  gospel  was  refused  by  the  Jews,  sent  his 
servants  into  the  highways  and  hedges."  Kingswood, 
near  Bristol,  first  witnessed  the  marvellous  efiects  of  his 
open-air  services.  On  Feb.  17,  1739,  he  preached  at  Kose 
Green  to  about  two  hundred  persons.  The  ice  was  broken  ; 
and  every  time  he  visited  Kingswood,  the  number  of  his 
hearers  increased.  Thousands  soon  flocked  from  Bristol ; 
the  poor  colliers  came  out  of  their  coalpits  in  vast 
swarms ;  the  tears  flowed,  and  made  white  gutters  down 
their  black  faces ;  and  very  many  were  deeply  impressed. 
The  youthful  preacher  was  extremely  diffident,  yet  re- 
ceived strength  from  heaven.  ''  The  open  firmament 
above  me,  the  prospect  of  the  adjacent  fields,  with  the 
sight  of  thousands  and  thousands,  some  in  coaches,  some 
on  horseback,  and  some  on  the  trees,  and  at  times  all 
affected  and  drenched  in  tears  together,  to  which  some- 
times was  added  the  solemnity  of  the  approaching  evening 
— was  almost  too  much  for  me,  and  quite  overcame  me." 
After  a  tour  in  Wales,  in  company  with  Howel  Harris, 
a  man  of  great  learning,  zeal,  and  ability,  Whitefield 
travelled  towards  London,  preaching  everywhere  on  his 
way.  He  obtained  permission  to  preach  in  Islington 
Church ;  but  during  the  reading  of  the  prayers,  the 
churchwardens  forbade  him  to  enter  the  pulpit :  the  con- 


4:8  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

gregatiou,  therefore,  turned  out  into  tlie  churchyard,  and 
Whitefield  mounted  a  tombstone.  He  preached  to  vast 
crowds  on  Moorfield,  Kennington  Common,  and  Black- 
heath,  ^Yhere  great  numbers  were  powerfully  impressed, 
and  cried  out  for  salvation.  The  singing  of  the  assem- 
bled thousands  could  be  heard  two  miles  off:  and  it  is 
said  that  the  clear  powerful  voice  of  Whitefield  could, 
under  favourable  circumstances,  be  distinctly  heard  for 
nearly  a  mile. 

Lord  and  Lady  Huntingdon  not  only  attended  the 
meetings  in  Fetter-Lane,  but  constantly  followed  the 
ministry  of  Whitefield ;  and  by  their  example  and  in- 
fluence, they  induced  many  of  the  nobility  to  listen  to 
his  sermons.  Her  Ladyship  availed  herself  of  her  inti- 
macy with  persons  of  rank  to  bring  the  high  and  the 
learned  to  a  knowledge  of  salvation.  She  met  with  the 
celebrated  Dr.  Young  at  the  residence  of  Lord  Boling- 
broke,  and  had  many  opportunities  of  seeing  and  con- 
versing with  him.  After  the  death  of  his  daughter-in- 
law.  Lady  Temple,  whom  he  had  taken  to  France,  where 
she  died  of  consumption,  and  for  whom,  he  sings  with 
such  pathetic  notes, 

"  With  pious  sacrilege  a  grave  I  stole  :" 

a  gloomy  melancholy  settled  upon  him,  which  was  greatly 
increased  by  the  death  of  his  wife.  The  Countess  endea- 
voured to  pour  the  consolations  of  the  gospel  into  his 
bleeding  heart.  She  introduced  him  to  Charles  Wesley, 
and  persuaded  him  to  attend  the  ministry  of  the  Metho- 
dist leaders ;  from  whom  he  derived  much  comfort  and 
support.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  evangelical 
portions  of  the  ''  Night  Thoughts"  were  the  result  of  the 
impressions  produced  by  the  preaching  of  Whitefield  and 
his  coadjutors :  so  strikingly  do  they  resemble  the  utter- 
ances, in  a  versified  form,  of  that  prince  of  preachers. 
Many  distinguished  characters  were  prevailed  u})on  lo 


THE     NOBILITY   FLOCK     TO     WHITE  FIELD.   49 

accompany  Lady  Huntingdon  to  hear  the  gifted  White- 
field.     Lady   Ann   Frankland,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of 
Scarborough,  was  the  first  among  the  nobility  converted 
by  his  ministry.     Her  husband  was  so  enraged  at  it,  that 
he  treated  her  with  the  greatest  cruelty,  and  ordered  her 
to  leave  his  house  only  three  weeks  after  their  marriage. 
The  Countess  greatly  cheered  her  under  her  trials ;  but 
her  sorrows  were  too  poignant   for  her  to   bear,  and   in 
less  than  nine  months  she  passed  into  the  grave.     Lady 
Betty  Finch,  wife  of  Lord  Mansfield  ;  Lady  Townshend, 
so  noted  for  her  wit  and  eccentricities  :  Lady  Mary  Wort 
ley   Montague ;   the   Duchess   of  Buckingham  ;  the   re- 
nowned Sarah,  Duchess  of  Marlborough,  one  of  the  most 
influential  ladies  of  the  day  ;  the  Duchess  of  Queensbury, 
so  celebrated  for  wit  and  beauty   by  Pope,   Swift,   and 
Prior ;  and  many  other  noble  women  corresponded  with 
Lady  Huntingdon,  and  accompanied  her  to  hear  White- 
field.     The  Countess  was  very  anxious  to  impress  the 
great  truths  of  the  gospel  on  the  minds  of  her  friends ; 
and  in  her  letters  the  Duchess  of  Malborough  acknow- 
ledges her  great  kindness  in  seeking  her  religious  im- 
provement, and  expresses  the  hope  that  she  will  be  the 
better  for  her  excellent  advice ;     She  says,  '^  I  have  lived 
to  see  great  changes  in  the  world — have  acted  a  conspic- 
ous  part  myself ;  and  now  hope,  in  my  old  days,  to  obtain 
mercy  from  God,  as  I  never  expect  any  at  the  hands  ot 
my  fellow-creatures.     You  must  direct  me.     You  are  all 
goodness  and  kindness,  and  I  often  wish  I  had  a  portion 
of  it.     Woman  of  wit,  beauty,  and  quality  cannot  hear 
too  many  humiliating  truths." 

The  Duchess  of  Buckingham  was  very  much  opposed 
to  the  sentiments  of  the  Methodists,  and  wondered  how 
Lady  Huntingdon  could  relish  them  so  much.  Her 
pride  refused  to  bend  to  the  requirements  of  the  word  of 
God,  and  was  greatly  offended  by  those  '^humiliating 
truths  "  which  her  rival  gladly  received  from  the  Countess. 


50  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

She,  however,  accepted  her  invitation  to  hear  her  favorite 
preacher,  and,  with  the  Duchess  of  Queensbury,  accom- 
panied Lady  Huntingdon  to  the  church  where  Whitefield 
was  preaching.  The  latter  lady  was  at  one  period  of  lier 
life  deeply  impressed  with  the  preaching  of  the  gospel, 
and  constantly  attended  the  ministry  of  the  Methodists. 
She  was  extremely  partial  to  Mr.  Ingham  and  Charles 
Wesley,  who  indulged  the  hope  that  she  would  employ 
her  splendid  talents  and  extensive  influence  for  the 
promotion  of  evangelical  religion ;  but  her  wit  and  beauty 
drew  her  into  scenes  of  dissipation,  which  eflaced  the 
holy  impressions  she  had  early  received.  The  good, 
however,  effected  by  the  efforts  of  Lady  Huntingdon  Avas 
very  great ;  and  through  her  persuasions,  numbers  of  the 
aristocracy  were  brought  within  sound  of  the  f\ithful 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  She  embraced  every  opportu- 
nity of  speaking  on  religious  subjects  to  her  friends  in 
her  mansions ;  and  her  manners  were  so  polished,  her 
talents  so  conspicuous,  that  her  society  was  much  sought 
after,  notwithstanding  her  religion.  Her  drawing-rooms 
in  town  were  crowded  with  doctors,  poets,  philosophers, 
statesmen,  lords  and  ladies ;  where  the  great  truths  of 
religion  were  discussed ;  and  she  not  unfrequently  aston- 
ished those  present  by  the  clearness  and  force  of  her 
views  of  truth. 

The  Countess  was  very  intimate  with  Lady  Margaret 
Cavendish  Harley,  only  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Oxford  ; 
who  was  distinguished  for  her  love  of  the  fine  arts,  and 
patronage  of  literature.  Their  friendship  was  cemented 
by  her  frequent  visits  to  Wimpole,  Cambridgeshire,  the 
seat  of  Lord  Oxford.  This  nobleman,  who  was  the 
owner  of  the  Harleian  Library,  now  in  the  British 
Museum,  was  a  great  admirer  of  Whitefield's  oratory, 
and  frequently  attended  his  ministry.  He  had  a  high 
opinion  of  the  character  of  Lady  Huntingdon ;  and  when 
near  his   death,  he   sent  for  her   to  give  him   spiritual 


THE     NOBILITY     FLOCK     TO     W  II I  T  E  F  1  i:  L  D.   51 

advice  and  consolation  in  his  last  moments.  He  died  at 
tlae  early  age  of  forty-two,  after  testifying  to  the  fact, 
that  the  profound  scholar  and  the  philosopher  could 
learn  much  from  a  pious  and  zealous  lady.  At  Wimpole, 
the  Countess  met  with  the  celebrated  Miss  Eobinson,  a 
lady  of  well  known  genius,  and  was  present  at  her 
marriage  with  Mr.  Montague,  the  distinguished  philoso- 
pher and  mathematician  ;  and  there  is  every  reason  to 
believe  that  her  pious  conversation  was  blessed  to  them. 
These  instances,  and  many  others  might  be  quoted 
where  great  good  was  produced  among  the  nobility 
through  her  efforts,  are  sufficient  to  show  how  deeply 
important  was  the  work  in  which  Lady  Huntingdon  was 
engaged  ;  and  how  widely  her  influence  was  exerted  for 
the  conversion  of  the  nobility,  and  the  scientific  and 
literary  characters  of  her  times.  It  must  also  be  remem- 
bered that  she  did  not  neglect  the  poor,  in  her  concern 
for  the  rich.  While  her  drawing-rooms  were  filled  with 
brilliant  assemblies,  her  kitchen  was  crowded  with  poor 
creatures,  to  whom  she  dispensed  her  charities  for  the 
relief  of  their  wants,  and  presented  Jesus  Christ  as  the 
only  remedy  for  their  guilt.  It  is  impossible  to  estimate 
the  result  of  these  labors ;  many  instances  have  come  to 
light  where  she  has  been  made  useful,  but  the  majority 
of  cases  will  never  be  known  till  the  great  day  of  account. 
She  rendered  incalculable  service  to  the  cause  of  true 
religion  ;  and  as  her  history  is  unfolded,  it  will  be  seen 
how  much  Methodism  was  indebted  to  her  influence,  her 
counsel,  and  her  self-denying  efforts. 


52  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON, 


CHAPTER  III.— A.  D.  1739—1742. 

LAY-PREACHERS  INTRODUCED  BY  LADY  HUNTINGDON. — 
MR.  MAXFIELD. — THE  COUNTESS  AT  BATH. — DEATH  OF 
LADY  BETTY  HASTINGS. — LADY  HUNTINGDON'S  CONCERN 
FOR  HER  SERVANTS. — BISHOP  BURNET. — ASHBY  SCHOOLS. 
— DEATH  OF  MISS  COOPER. — LABOURS  AND  SUCCESS  OF 
LADY  HUNTINGDON  AMONG  THE   POOR. 

The  great  stir  which  the  Methodists  had  created,  was 
produced  not  only  by  declaring  the  simple  truths  of  the 
gospel,  but  also  by  the  then  singular  manner  in  which 
they  presented  them.  The  sermons  of  the  preachers  had 
previously  been  dry  essays  on  some  point  of  morality,  or 
theological  controversy ;  which  were  carelessly  read  in 
the  pulpit,"  and  lulled  the  audience  to  sleep.  The  Metho- 
dists left  their  manuscripts  at  home,  and  poured  forth 
their  experience  of  divine  truth  in  stirring  extempora- 
neous strains.  Their  oratory  Avas  fervid  and  powerful, 
because  their  souls  were  deeply  impressed  with  the 
importance  of  their  message ;  and  the  spiritual  fire,  which 
glowed  within,  animated  their  discourses,  and  awakened 
a  powcrfu]  sympathy  in  the  minds  of  their  hearers.  The 
number  of  ordained  ministers,  hovfever,  was  insufficient 
to  meet  the  demands  made  for  their  services.  Whitefield 
was  realizing  great  success  in  America ;  John  Wesley 
was  following  up  the  labours  of  that  distinguished  man 
at  Bristol ;  Mr.  Ingham  was  working  amid  the  dark 
heathenish  population  of  Yorkshire ;  Howel  Harris  was 
journeying  through  Wales,  and  attracting  many  to  the 
standard  of  the  cross  ;  and  others  were  itinerating 
throughout  the  country.     A  new  agency  was  now  rising, 


THE     PREACHING     OF     M  R .    M  A  X  F  i  E  L  1> .         58 

tlirougli  tlie  instrumentality  of  Ladj  Huntingdon,  Avhich 
has  done  more  to  bring  the  gospel  into  the  villages  of  our 
land,  than  the  most  illustrious  men,  sent  from  our 
colleges  and  universities,  have  been  enabled  to  effect. 

The  first  example  of  lay-preaching  appears  to  have 
been  set  by  Mr.  Bowers,  who,  after  Whitefield  had 
finished  his  sermon  in  Islington  church-yard,  rose  to 
address  the  people.  He  also  preached  in  the  streets  of 
Oxford ;  but  Charles  Wesley  severely  reprimanded  him 
for  preaching  without  being  ordained ;  and  the  timid  man 
confessed  that  he  bad  done  wrong,  and  promised  never  to 
offend  again.  John  Wesley  greatly  felt  the  need  of  some 
one  to  vf atch  over  the  little  societies,  when  he  was  absent. 
He  accordingi}^  sent  Mr.  Cennick,  a  man  w^ell  known  in 
the  history  of  the  revival  of  religion,  to  reside  at  Kings- 
wood  school,  which  Whitefield  had  founded,  and  to  which 
Lady  Huntingdon  liberally  contributed  ;  that  he  might 
read  to  them  the  Word  of  God,  pray  with  them,  and 
exhort  them  to  continue  in  the  ways  of  holiness.  When 
Wesley  left  London,  he  appointed  Mr.  Maxfield  to 
perform  a  similar  duty  in  the  society  at  Fetter  Lane. 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  this  time  a  constant  attendant 
at  the  chapel,  and  a  member  of  the  first  Methodist  Society 
there  formed.  She  was  greatly  pleased  with  the  talents 
and  fervency  of  Mr.  Maxfield,  and  having  frequently 
heard  him  pray,  she  exhorted  him  to  expound  the 
Scriptures.  His  expositions  w^ere  singularly  clear  and 
beautiful ;  his  voice  and  manner  rendered  his  utterances 
very  impressive ;  and  his  labours  were  very  useful,  and 
gave  a  mighty  stimulus  to  the  piety  and  zeal  of  the 
society.  After  hearing  him  several  times.  Lady  Hunting- 
don w^rote  a  letter  to  John  Wesley,  and  communicated  to 
him  how  greatly  Mr.  Maxfield  was  blessed  by  the  Lord. 
She  confessed  that  she  was  surprised  at  his  talents  ;  that 
when  she  first  heard  him  she  expected  very  little  from 
him ;  but  as  he  proceeded  he  gained  her  attention,  and  at 

5* 


54  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

length  so  riveted  her,  that  she  remained  immovable  on 
her  seat.  She  says,  "  You  can  have  no  idea  what  an 
attachment  I  have  to  him."  The  Countess  took  a  great 
interest  in  his  proceedings,  and  delighted  to  unite  with 
him  in  prayer,  of  which  he  had  an  extraordiniiry  gift, 
and  to  attend  his  expositions.  Frorn  the  exhorter  to  the 
preacher  is  but  a  single  step  ;  yet  it  does  not  appear  that 
Mr.  Maxfield  contemplated  taking  that  step.  He  was  a 
sincere  humble-minded  Christian,  anxious  to  do  good, 
and  to  save  souls.  His  services  were  very  acceptable  to 
the  people,  and  multitudes  flocked  to  hear  him ;  whose 
deep  and  serious  attention,  and  the  urgent  entreaties  of 
Lad}^  Huntingdon,  induced  him  to  persevere  in  his 
efforts,  and  at  length  to  preach.  His  ministrations  were 
greatly  blessed  by  the  Lord  ;  many  were  brought  to  see 
their  sinful  condition,  and  to  find  pardon  and  peace 
through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  preaching  of  Mr.  Maxfield,  however,  gave  great 
offence  to  several  members  of  the  society ;  who  declared 
that  he  had  usurped  the  sacred  office,  without  being  called 
to  it ;  and  represented  to  Mr.  Wesley  that  it  was  an 
irregularity  which  should  be  instantly  put  down.  He 
immediately  hastened  to  London,  and  reached  his  mother's 
house,  adjoining  the  Foundry  in  the  City  Eoad,  greatly 
displeased.  His  mother  was  a  woman  of  genuine  piety, 
clear  understanding,  and  good  sense.  She  had  often  heard 
Mr.  Maxfield  preach,  and  was  fully  persuaded,  by  the 
tokens  of  success,  that  Christ  had  called  him  to  be  his 
ambassador.  She  perceived  that  her  son  was  displeased 
and  irritated,  and  inquired  the  cause.  He  indignantly 
replied,  "  Why  Thomas  Maxfield  has  turned  preacher." 
The  old  lady  looked  seriously  at  her  son,  and  said, 
^' John,  take  care  what  you  do  with  respect  to  that  young 
man  ;  for  he  is  as  surely  called  of  God  to  preach  as  you 
are.  Examine  what  has  been  the  fruits  of  his  preaching, 
and  l]car  him  also  yourself."     He  attended  to  the  good 


DEATH     OF     LADY    BETTY     il  A  S  T I  N  fi  S  .      55 

advice  of  liis  motlier,  and  after  having  heard  him,  he  ex- 
pressed his  satisfaction,  and  gave  him  his  sanction  by 
saying,  "  It  is  the  Lord ;  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him 
good."  He  clearly  discerned  that  it  would  be  impossible 
to  keep  his  followers  from  preaching ;  and  he,  therefore, 
admitted  them  to  be  his  assistants,  and  to  preach 
wherever  he  appointed  them.  It  is,  however,  a  fact 
which  should  be  remembered,  that  we  owe  all  the  bles- 
sings which  the  world  has  received  from  lay-preachers  to 
the  good  sense  and  spiritual  discernment  of  Lady  Ilun- 
tingdon,  and  the  mother  of  John  Wesley.* 

At  the  close  of  the  year,  1789,  the  Earl  and  Countess 
of  Huntingdon  paid  a  visit  to  Bath,  which  was  then  in 
the  height  of  its  reputation  as  a  fashionable  city.  The 
Earl  had  been  very  much  indisposed  during  the  previous 
summer,  and  had  been  strongly  recommended  to  use  the 
Bath  waters.  His  intimate  friend,  Mr.  Allen,  then 
resided  at  Prior  Park,  the  most  magnificent  seat  among 
the  many  beautiful  spots  around,  where  Pope  and  Dr. 
Warburton,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Gloucester,  were  visi- 
ting. In  the  society  of  these  distinguished  men,  Lady 
Huntingdon  found  many  opportunities  of  introducing 
religious  topics,  which  she  discussed  with  great  force  and 
zeal,  and  enlightened  by  the  clearness  of  her  comprehen- 
sion of  divine  things.  Warburton,  however,  was  bitterly 
opposed  to  her  sentiments,  and  embraced  every  occasion 
to  denounce  the  preaching  of  the  ministers  she  attended. 
He  pronounced  her  an  "  incurable  enthusiast ; "  and 
throughout  his  life,  he  fiercely  censured  and  opposed  the 
principles  and  adherents  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  He 
hated  Methodism,  and  applied  the  term  as  an  opprobrious 
epithet  to  all  who  were  conspicuous  for  their  piety,  and 
their  enjoyment  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ.  Mr. 
Charles   Wesley  was  then  at*Bath  ;  but  met  with  such 

*0u  lay-preacliing  see  Notes  in  the  Life  of  Walker,  of  Truro.— Ed. 


56     MEMOIR  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 

opposition,  that  he  preached  only  once  or  twice.  He, 
however,  laboured  very  successfully  at  Bristol,  Bradford, 
and  the  neighbouring  places ;  whither  he  was  accom- 
panied by  the  Countess.  The  Earl  never  thwarted  her 
Ladyship  in  any  of  her  plans ;  but  Warburton  was  so 
deeply  prejudiced  against  her,  that  he  was  ever  ready  to 
ridicule  her  on  her  return  from  these  excursions. 

Before  this  year  closed,  the  family  of  Lord  Huntingdon 
was  thrown  into  mourning  by  the  decease  of  his  sister 
Lady  Betty  Hastings.  She  had  spent  the  greater  portion 
of  her  life  at  Ledstone  Hall,  Yorkshire ;  which  came  into 
her  possession  after  the  death  of  her  brother  George,  the 
eighth  Earl  of  Huntingdon.  It  was  while  on  a  visit  to 
Lady  Bett}^,  that  the  Ladies  Hastings  were  brought  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  truth.  Mr.  Ingham  was  preaching  in 
the  neighbourhood,  and  curiosity  led  them  to  hear  him  ; 
when  they  were  so  deeply  impressed  with  the  truth,  that 
they  invited  him  to  Ledstone  Hall,  where  he  soon  became 
a  great  favorite.  Lady  Betty  was  a  very  remarkable 
character.  She  possessed  good  natural  abilities,  a  vigor- 
ous intellect,  a  sound  judgment,  and  an  extraordinary 
quickness  of  comprehension.  Her  temper  was  sweet  and 
placid ;  her  heart  benevolent  and  affectionate ;  her  manners 
refined  and  engaging.  She  employed  her  talents  and  her 
ample  fortune  in  doing  good  ;  and  secured  the  esteem  of 
those  who  were  her  equals  in  rank,  and  of  the  poorest  of 
her  dependants,  by  her  piety  and  her  unostentatious 
generosity.  She  died  December  22nd,  1739,  in  the  fifty- 
seventh  year  of  her  age ;  and  was  interred  with  great 
solemnity  in  the  family  vault  at  Ledstone.  Her  loss  was 
severely  felt  in  Yorkshire ;  her  sisters  returned  to 
Donnington  Park,  with  the  Earl  and  Countess ;  and 
Ledstone  Hall  became  the  property  of  Lord  Huntingdon. 

AVhile  Lady  Huntingdon  was  in  the  midst  of  her 
labours  among  the  nobility  and  the  poor,  she  enjoyed 
much  of  the  favour  of  God.     She  lived  in  a  region  of 


THE     POOE.  57 

peace  and  joy  ;  the  world  and  its  pleasures  possessed  no 
charm  to  attract  her  attention;  and  she  daily  crucified 
the  flesh  with  all  its  affections  and  lusts.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  year  1742,  she  says  : — "My  whole  heart 
has  not  one  single  grain  of  thirst  after  approbation.  I 
feel  alone  with  God ;  he  nils  the  whole  void ;  I  see  all 
mortals  under  my  feet.  I  have  not  one  wish,  one  will, 
one  desire,  but  in  him :  he  hath  set  my  feet  in  a  large 
room.  All  but  God's  children  seem  as  so  many  machines 
appointed  for  uses  which  I  have  nothing  to  do  with.  I 
have  wondered  and  stood  amazed  that  God  should  make  * 
a  conquest  of  all  within  me  by  love.  Others  may  be 
conquered  by  less  gifts  and  graces,  but  what  must  that 
evil  heart  be  that  nothing  but  the  love  of  God  can 
conquer  ?  I  am  brought  to  less  than  nothing  ;  broken 
to  pieces  like  the  potter  s  vessel.  I  long  to  leap  into  the 
flames  to  get  rid  of  my  sinful  flesh,  and  that  every  atom 
of  these  ashes  might  be  separate,  that  neither  time,  place, 
nor  person  should  stay  God's  spirit." 

Lady  Huntmgdon*  took  the  deepest  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  her  servants  and  workpeople.  She  instructed 
them  in  the  scriptures,  pointed  out  to  them  the  way  of 
salvation,  through  Christ,  and  exhorted  them  to  believe 
in  him  for  pardon  and  peace.  She  met  with  much 
success  in  her  efforts.  She  once  spoke  to  a  workman, 
who  was  repairing  a  garden  wall,  and  urged  him  to 
reflect  on  the  state  of  his  soul,  and  on  eternity.  Some 
years  after,  she  was  speaking  to  another  on  the  same 
subject,  and  said  to  him,  "  Thomas,  I  fear  you  never 
pray,  nor  look  to  Christ  for  salvation."  Your  Ladyship 
is  mistaken,"  he  replied,  "  I  heard  what  passed  between 
you  and  James,  when  he  was  mending  the  wall  some 
years  ago,  and  the  word  designed  for  him  took  effect  on 
me."  "  How  did  you  hear  it,"  she  asked ;  and  he 
answered,  ''I  heard  it  on  the    other  side  of  the  garden 


58  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

tliroiigli  a  bole  in  the  wall,  and  shall  never  forget  the 
impression  I  then  received." 

The  Countess  had  a  great  veneration  for  the  memory 
of  Bishop   Burnet,   and   took   a  warm   interest  in  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  his  descendants.     She  was  at  this 
time  very  intimate  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Mitchell,  a 
woman  of  genuine  piety  and  benevolence,  who  frequently 
visited  and  conversed  with  her  on  religious   subjects. 
The  grandson  of  the  excellent  prelate,   Kichard  West, 
Esq.,  was  a  great  fav^ourite  with  both  Lord  and  Lady 
Huntingdon :  but  a  rapid  consumption  terminated  his 
brief  career  at  the  age  of  twenty-six,  when  his  piety  and 
talents  gave  the  promise  of  extensive  usefulness.     She 
admired  Burnet  among  other  things  for  his  condemnation 
of  pluralities,  which  he  termed,   "Sacrilegious  robberies,'''^ 
and  was  fond  of  relating  a  circumstance  which  transpired 
respecting  him,   which  displayed   his  conscientiousness 
and   integrity.      In   his   first   charge   to   his   clergy    at 
Salisbury,  he  quoted  the  following  anecdote : — St.  Ber- 
nard, being  consulted  by  one  of  his  followers,  whether 
he  might  accept  two   benefices,  asked  him,  "How  will 
you  be  able  to  serve  them  both?  "  ''I  intend,"  aDswered 
the  priest,  "to   officiate  in  one  of  them  by  a  deputy." 
*'  Will  your  deputy  be  damned  for  you  too?  "  cried  the 
saint,  "  Believe  me;  you  may  serve  your  cure  by  proxy, 
but  you  must  be  damned  in  person." 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  the  greater  part  of  1742  at 
Donnington  Park,  in  devising  schemes  for  more  exten- 
sively diffusing  divine  truth,  and  ameliorating  the  condi- 
tion of  the  poor  around  her.  She  was  deeply  sensible  of 
the  value  of  sound  religious  education,  and  accordingly 
established  schools  at  Ashby-de-la-Zouch,  which  had 
long  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Huntingdon  family, 
and  at  Markfield,  a  village  mid-way  between  Ashby  and 
Leicester,  for  the  instruction  of  the  children  of  those 
districts.     For  a  short   time  they  appeared  to  prosper 


LADY     HUNTINDON'S     SCHOOLS.  59 

well,  and  then  they  gradually  declined.  The  parents 
foolishly  allowed  their  children  to  absent  themselves,  and 
were  extremely  careless  of  the  advantages  to  be  derived. 
She  was  greatly  discouraged  at  the  result  of  her  efforts  ; 
but  was  fully  convinced  that,  under  such  circunistances, 
it  would  be  useless  to  continue  the  services  of  the 
masters.  They  were  accordingly  dismissed,  the  schools 
were  closed,  and  Lady  Huntingdon,  aware  that  a  school 
would  never  prosper  without  the  co-operation  of  the 
parents,  directed  her  exertions  into  another  channel. 
She  communicated  to  John  Wesley  her  determination, 
and  stated  that  it  was  but  "  too  plain  the  time  is  not  yet 
come."  Between  these  two  distinguished  characters  there 
existed  at  this  time  the  most  intimate  friendship.  The 
letters  that  passed  between  them  are  full  of  that  freedom 
and  spirituality,  which  their  cordiality  and  anxiety  for 
the  revival  of  religion  prompted.  The  Countess  gratefully 
received  counsel  and  instruction  from  Wesley ;  and  he 
solicited  her  judgment  on  many  occasions.  From  her 
letters  it  is  evident,  that  about  this  time,  he  submitted  to 
her  his  Journals  for  her  inspection ;  for  she  tells  him  that 
he  has  exercised  his  gift  of  humility  in  an  extraordinary 
manner,  to  ask  her  opinion  upon  the  journal,  and  that 
she  does  not  think  there  is  a  single  thing  in  it  that  ought 
to  be  omitted.  It  greatly  delighted  and  strengthened  her 
heart,  and  awakened  within  her  the  spirit  of  prayer,  that 
she  might  live  and  die  in  the  service  in  which  he  was 
engaged. 

There  was  at  this  period  residing  with  the  Countess, 
a  young  lady  named  Cooper,  who  was  in  the  last  stage  of 
consumption.  She  expressed  a  great  desire  to  see  John 
Wesley  ;  and  Lady  Huntingdon  wrote  to  him,  and  urged 
him  to  come  down  and  visit  her,  before  her  spirit  took  its 
departure.  He  reached  Donnington  Park  May  22nd,  and 
remarks,  "  Miss  Cooper  was  just  alive,  but  as  soon  as  we 
came  in,  her  spirits  greatly  revived.     For  three  days  we 


60  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

rejoiced  in  the  grace  of  God,  whereby  she  was  filled  with 
a  hope  full  of  immortality."  Her  sufferings  were  very 
acute,  but  her  faith  was  triumphant;  and  often  after  a 
night  of  intense  pain,  she  said,  ''  Oh  !  what  a  delightful 
night  I  have  felt."  Lady  Huntingdon  was  constant  in 
her  attendance  upon  her  ;  and  though  deeply  affected  by 
her  removal,  she  seemed  to  partake  more  of  the  happiness 
of  the  departed,  than  of  the  sorrow  of  the  mourner.  She 
says  in  a  letter  written  at  this  time,  "  Miss  Cooper  is  still 
with  me ;  it  has  not  seemed  like  death  among  ns ;  we 
rejoice  upon  every  remembrance  of  her;  all  tears  are 
wiped  from  our  eyes ;  her  last  hours  were  all  spent  in 
prayer ;  and  when  her  change  came,  her  countenance 
spoke  her  blessed  ;  and  I,  for  a  moment,  tasted  her  joy ; 
for  I  thought  my  whole  soul  was  so  filled  with  delight,  it 
could  have  followed." 

The  happiness  Lady  Huntingdon  experienced,  prompt- 
ed her  to  increase  her  exertions  to  bring  others  to  par- 
ticipate in  it.  She  was  unremitting  in  her  attentions  to 
the  poor;  she  bountifully  relieved  their  necessities,  visi- 
ted them  in  sickness,  conversed  with  them  about  the 
state  of  their  souls,  and  prayed  most  earnestly  with  them 
in  their  houses.  She  found  that  the  instruction  and  short 
exhortations  given  to  them  were  of  great  service  to  them, 
especially  to  her  workpeople,  with  whom  she  spent  a 
part  of  every  day.  She  never  waited  for  them  to  solicit 
her  services  ;  but  sought  them  out  with  great  diligence, 
entered  into  all  their  troubles,  and  awakened  their  grati- 
tude by  the  kindness  of  her  manner.  Soon  after  the 
death  of  Miss  Cooper,  her  Ladyship  walked  down  to  the 
water-side,  where  six  small  houses  Avere  inhabited  by  the 
poor.  Two  of  them  were  public  houses,  which  she  says 
*'  appear  to  be  a  harbour  for  the  devils  themselves  ;  "  yet 
she  often  entered  this  dark  locality  to  visit  a  poor  woman, 
in  whom  she  took  a  deep  interest.  One  day  the  woman 
told  her  that  she  had  been  asking  her  neighbour,  whether 


THE     COUNTESS     VISITING    THE     SICK.      61 

she  could  know  before  her  departure  if  she  should  be 
happy ;  and  thej  requested  her  opinion.  The  Countess 
at  once  took  a  friend  with  her,  and  found  the  poor  woman 
in  great  distress  of  body  and  mind.  She  cried  out  in 
deep  agony,  "  I  may  die,  and  what  will  become  of  my 
soul ;  0,  pray  for  me  !  O,  mercy  !  mercy !  "  Her  Lady- 
ship reminded  her  that  her  past  deeds  could  never  atone 
for  her  sins,  and  that  it  was  right  to  cherish  the  feeling 
of  guiltiness  in  the  sight  of  God;  and  said,  ''JSTow  you 
are  quite  lost,  you  will  find  Him  who  came  to  seek  and 
to  save  just  such  as  you  are."  The  poor  woman  how- 
ever, refused  to  be  comforted,  and  passed  the  night  in 
great  fear. 

The  next  morning  Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  her  bed- 
side, and  read  and  prayed  with  her ;  and  about  six  at 
night,  they  brought  her  word  that  she  was  seized  with  a 
cold  shivering  fit  and  was  in  the  agonies  of  death.  Her 
Ladyship  hastened  to  the  college,  and  saw  the  poor  crea- 
ture held  down  by  four  men,  and  suffering  great  anguish 
and  pain.  The  conflict,  however,  passed,  and  the  storm 
was  succeeded  by  a  beautiful  calm:  and  when  Lady 
Huntingdon  came  at  noon  the  following  day,  the  woman 
exclaimed,  "  O  my  Lady,  my  dear  Lady,  what  great 
things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  me.  I  have  no  doubt  or 
fear.  He  hath  given  me  that  peace  which  the  world  can 
neither  give  nor  take  away.  You  have  saved  my  soul ; 
you  know  the  blessedness  I  have  found  this  night.  O 
what  a  thing  it  is  to  have  the  heart  all  flaming  to  the 
Lord  Jesus."  The  Countess  was  filled  with  unspeakable 
pleasure  in  witnessing  the  result  of  her  instructions  to 
this  poor  creature.  She  delighted  to  hear  her  experience 
of  God's  dealings  with  her,  and  to  observe  her  simplicity 
and  holy  joy.  She  constantly  visited  her,  and  brought 
many  to  witness  her  faith,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  one  of  the  daughters  also  turning  to  the  Lord. 

The  hand  of  death,  however,  soon  snatched  away  the 


62  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

body  wbicli  had  become  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  set  the  enraptured  spirit  free.  About  a  week  before 
her  departure,  she  was  in  great  pain,  and  longed  for  death. 
One  evening  the  Countess,  with  her  sisters-in-law  Lady 
Anne  and  Lady  Frances,  prayed  with  her;  when  she 
broke  out  in  praise  to  Christ,  and  continued  all  night 
crying,  ''Glory,  Glory,  to  the  Lamb."  She  once  pre- 
vailed upon  Lord  Huntingdon  to  accompany  her  on  her 
visit,  when  he  was  surprised  and  affected  even  to  tears  at 
what  he  witnessed.  The  poor  woman  gradually  became 
weaker,  as  her  spirit  ripened  for  the  better  land.  At 
length  the  hour  came.  The  Countess  was  present,  with 
her  excellent  sisters-in-law,  and  many  others.  Lady 
Frances  approached,  and  said  to  her,  "  Your  sufferings 
will  soon  be  over."  She  made  a  feeble  motion,  stretched 
out  her  hand,  and  whispered  a  faint  farewell.  She  soon 
after  collected  the  little  strength  remaining,  and  said, 
"  The  fear  of  death  is  gone. — The  name  of  Jesus — how 
sweet !  All  glory  to  the  Lamb."  She  could  proceed  no 
further ;  but  by  signs,  looks,  and  soft  accents,  manifested 
the  happiness  she  enjoyed.  ''Just  before  she  breathed 
her  last,"  says  her  Ladyship,  "she  gave  us  a  parting 
smile;  and  her  happy  spirit  entered  into  rest.  There 
were  many  witnesses  around  her  dying  bed,  to  whom  I 
spoke  with  much  fervour  and  fidelity.  The  impression 
will,  I  trust,  be  lasting.  Vast  numbers,  from  respect,  as 
well  as  from  curiosity,  attended  her  funeral." 

Such  were  the  labours  of  this  distinguished  Lady. 
She  left  the  society  of  the  rich  and  the  noble,  for  that  of 
the  poor  and  the  sinful.  She  denied  herself  the  luxury 
,and  ease,  which  her  rank  and  fortune  placed  within  her 
reach,  that  she  might  follow  the  example  of  her  Saviour, 
"who  went  about  doing  good."  In  her  mansion,  she  was 
the  model  of  an  affectionate  mistress  to  her  servants ; 
who  respected  and  loved  her,  and  never  presumed  on  her 
kindness.     Abroad,  she  was  the  missionary  of  the  cross, 


LABOURS  OP  LADY  HUNTINGDON.    63 

ever  on  tlie  alert  to  save  souls.  No  darkness  was  too 
terrible  for  her  to  visit ;  even  tlie  "  harbour  for  devils 
themselves"  was  entered^  that  she  might  seek  out  the 
perishing  victims,  and  attempt  to  rescue  them  from  the 
power  of  Satan.  Her  example  is  worthy  of  being  fol- 
lowed by  all.  What  a  mighty  change  in  society  would 
be  effected,  if  every  lady  would  employ  her  leisure,  and 
a  portion  of  her  wealth,  in  active  exertions  for  the  good 
of  those  around  her !  She  would  experience  the  grati- 
tude which  Lady  Huntingdon  received  from  those  whom 
she  blessed.  No  wonder  that  she  says,  ''  I  find  some 
difficulty  in  keeping  them  from  clinging  to  me,  such  won- 
drous love  they  bear  me."  They  will  ever  fondly  cherish 
the  memory  of  their  benefactor,  and  will  be  her  crown 
of  rejoicing  at  the  last  great  day  and  for  ever. 


64    MEMOIR  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 


CHAPTER  lY.  A.D.  1741—1746. 

LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  DONNINGTON. — PIOUS  CLEEGY. — 
WHITEFIELD  ON  MOORFIELDS.  LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT 
BATH  AND  CLIFTON. — POET  SAVAGE,  AND  HIS  MOTHER. 
LEDSTONE  HALL. — PROGRESS  OF  METHODISM  IN  YORK- 
SHIRE.— MR.  GRIMSHAW. — JOHN  NELSON.  —  PERSECU- 
TION.— DEATH  OF  GEORGE  AND  FERDINANDO  HASTINGS. 
DR.  WATTS. — DR.  DODDRIDGE. — THE  PRETENDER. — THE 
COUNTESS  AT  CLIFTON. — DEATH  OF  LORD  HUNTINGDON  ; 
HIS   CHARACTER. 

John  Wesley  quitted  Donnington  Park  before  the  death 
of  Miss  Cooper,  and  preached  in  various  parts  of  York- 
shire. He  then  visited  Epworth,  where  he  was  fornierly 
curate  to  his  father ;  and  being  denied  the  pulpit,  he  gave 
notice  that  he  would  preach  in  the  church-yard.  A  vast 
congregation  assembled ;  and  he  stood  near  the  east  end 
of  the  church,  upon  his  father's  tombstone,  and  preached 
from  the  words,  "  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  not  meat 
and  drink,  but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost." 

While  the  Countess  resided  at  her  mansion  in  Leices 
tershire,  the  Wesleys  and  their  associates  became  constant 
visitors,  and  were  received  by  her  Ladyship  as  the 
servants  of  that  God  to  whom  she  had  solemnly  dedicated 
herself,  and  by  Lord  Huntingdon  with  every  mark  of 
polite  attention.  This  accomplished  nobleman  possessed 
such  love  and  veneration  for  his  Countess  that,  instead 
of  thwarting  any  of  her  plans  for  promoting  the  diffusion 
of  truth  and  the  interests  of  religion,  he  afforded  her 


moorefield's    fair.  65 

much  facility  and  encouragement  to  gratify  the  desires 
of  her  heart.  Every  minister  of  the  gospel,  of  whatever 
name  and  denomination,  whom  she  wished  to  invite,  was 
always  welcomed  at  Donnington  Park,  and  treated  by 
his  Lordship  with  that  politeness  and  affability,  for  which 
he  was  so  distinguished.  He  freely  conversed  on  religious 
subjects  with  many  of  these  worthy  men ;  and  when,  on 
one  occasion,  the  conversation  turned  on  the  doctrine  of 
the  atonement  through  the  death  of  Christ,  he  frankly 
confessed,  "  The  morality  of  the  Bible  I  admire ;  but  the 
doctrine  of  the  atonement  I  cannot  comprehend."  It  was 
a  matter  of  great  grief  to  her  Ladyship,  that  his  heart 
remained  insensible  to  the  beauties  of  the  gospel ;  and 
though  it  never  disturbed  their  domestic  felicity,  it  drew 
many  prayers  from  her  heart  for  his  conversion. 

George  Whitefield  had,  meanwhile,  been  zealously 
pursuing  his  energetic  labours.  After  his  separation 
from  Wesley,  he  visited  Scotland ;  where  he  preached 
in  the  churches  and  in  the  fields  with  astonishing  success, 
and  collected  about  five  hundred  pounds  for  his  Orphan 
House.  He  returned  through  "Wales,  where  he  married 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  James,  a  widow ;  and  travelled  to  Bristol, 
and  thence  to  London,  preaching  everywhere  with  his 
accustomed  energy  and  success.  Moorfields  was  then  a 
place  of  great  resort  during  the  Easter  and  Whitsuntide 
holidays,  and  thousands  attended  the  fairs  and  shows  day 
and  night.  Whitefield  issued  forth  on  Whit-Monday  at 
six  in  the  morning,  and  again  at  noon,  and  a  third  time 
in  the  evening ;  and  preached  to  the  assembled  crowds 
amid  the  most  exciting  scenes.  The  merry-andrews  were 
deserted ;  which  so  enraged  them,  that  one  mounted  a 
man's  shoulders,  and  attempted  to  lash  the  preacher  with 
a  long  whip.  All  sorts  of  annoyances  were  created  to 
drown  his  voice  ;  a  recruiting  sergeant,  with  drum  and 
fife,  marched  throuo-h  the  cono-resfation  ;  mountebanks 
played  their  antics  before  him ;  and  showmen  sounded  a 

6* 


66  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

terrible  blast  of  trumpets.  His  preaching  was  very 
successful.  He  says,  ''At  a  moderate  computation  I 
received,  I  believC;  a  thousand  notes  from  persons  under 
conviction ;  and  soon  after  upwards  of  three  hundred 
were  received  into  the  society  in  one  day.  Some  I 
married  that  had  lived  together  without  marriage ;  one 
man  had  exchanged  his  wife  for  another,  and  given 
fourteen  shillings  in  exchange.  Numbers  that  seemed  as 
it  were,  to  have  been  bred  up  for  Tyburn,  were  at  that 
time  plucked  as  firebrands  out  of  the  burning."  He 
spent  the  greater  part  of  1742,  in  Scotland,  and  re- 
turned to  London  to  resume  his  duties  at  the  Taber- 
nacle. 

The  Earl  and  Countess  of  Huntingdon  were  now  con- 
stant in  their  attendance  on  the  ministry  of  White  field 
and  were  often  accompanied  by  the  Ladies  Hastings ;  and 
occasionally  by  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  his  youngest 
brother  William,  the  Duchess  of  Marlborough,  the  Duch- 
ess of  Buchingham,  and  many  of  the  nobility.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  next  year,  Whitefield  itinerated  in 
Gloucestershire  and  Wales  ;  and  established  at  Waterford 
an  Association  of  societies  and  ministers,  which  he  and 
his  brethren  had  agreed  upon  for  their  mutual  edification 
and  encouragement ;  the  number  of  which  was  greatly 
increased  throughout  the  principality.  At  one  of  the 
meetings  of  the  Association,  a  proposition  was  made  to 
separate  formally  from  the  Established  Church;  "but," 
says  Whitefield,  ''the  far  greater  part  opposed  it,  and 
with  good  reason ;  for  we  enjoy  such  great  liberty  under 
the  mild  and  gentle  government  of  his  present  Majesty 
King  George,  that  I  think  we  can  do  our  country  and 
the  cause  of  God  more  service  in  ranging  up  and  down, 
preaching  repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  to  those  multitudes  would  come  neither  into 
church  nor  meeting,  but  who  are  led  by  curiosity  to 
follow  us  into  the  fields." 


THE  MOTHER  OF  THE  POET  SAVAGE.   67 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  the  winter  of  1742,  at  Bath, 

in  the  company  of  her  relatives,  Lady  Fanny  Shirley, 

and    Lady   Anne   and    Lady   Frances   Hastings.      The 

imprisonment  of  the  poet  Savage  for  debt,  in  the  common 

goal  of  Bristol,  was  then  the  general  topic  of  conversation 

.n  the  higher  circles  at  London,  Bath  and  Clifton.     His 

career  had  been  a  very  singular  one.     His  mother,  once 

Countess   of  Macclesfield,    and    afterwards   Mrs.   Brett, 

disowned  her  child,  and  left  him  to  pass  his  infancy  and 

childhood,  under  the  precarious  protection  of  strangers. 

He  early  commenced  his  career  as  an  author,  and  plunged 

into  scenes  of  dissipation  and  vice.     In  a  broil  at  a  tavern, 

he  killed  a  man,  and  was  condemned  to  death  on  the 

evidence  of  his  mother  and  an  infamous  woman.     The 

intercession  of  the  Countess  of  Hertford,  the  friend  of 

Lady  Huntingdon,  procured  for  him  the  royal  pardon ; 

and  his  popularity  was  increased  by  the  notorious  cruelty, 

and   implacable  hatred  of  his  mother.     His  season  of 

prosperity,,  however,  was  soon  clouded  by  his  ingratitude ; 

and  he  vainly  struggled  with  poverty  and  distress.     Lady 

Fanny  had  known  him  at  the  residence  of  Pope,  and  now 

sent   him   relief.     Soon   after   his   imprisonment.    Lady 

Huntingdon   and  her  family  removed   to   Clifton,   and 

proposed  to  raise  a  subscription  for  the  benefit  of  the 

unhappy  man  ;  but  he  pertinaciously  refused  to  sanction 

it.     His   keeper,   Mr.  Dagge,   was   well   known  to  her 

Ladyship  as  a  frequent  hearer  of  Whitefield ;  who  was 

now  preaching  at  Bristol,  and  often  visited  him  at  his 

house„     Savage  was  principally  supported  by  this  ''tender 

goaler,"  as  Johnson  calls  him  ;  and  often  heard  the  gifted 

preacher,  not  only  in  the  prison-chapel,  but  also  at  the 

table  of  his  humane  keeper.     Lady  Huntingdon  and  her 

family  did  not  confine  their  benevolence  to  the  relief  of 

his   temporal   Avants ;   they   frequently   visited    him   in 

prison,  and  anxiously  sought  to  direct  his  attention  to 

the  momentous  concerns  of  eternity.     IN'otwithstanding 


68  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

their  civility  and  kindness,  he  gratified  his  resentment 
by  writing  a  satirical  poem ;  which  would  only  have 
alienated  his  remaining  friends,  had  he  not  abandoned 
the  task  at  the  urgent  request  of  Lady  Fannj^  He  was 
seized  with  a  painful  disorder,  which  ultimately  brought 
on  a  fever,  of  which  he  died,  July  31st,  1743,  leaving 
behind  him  a  character  strangely  checkered  with  vices 
and  good  qualities. 

About  nine  years  after,  when  Lady  Huntingdon  was 
at  Bath,  she  was  accosted  in  the  street  by  an  elderly 
gentlewoman,  who,  with  much  politeness,  inquired  for  her 
address,  intending  to  do  herself  the  pleasure  of  calling 
upon  her  Ladyship.  She  omitted  to  ask  the  name  of  the 
stranger,  and  in  a  short  time  left  Bath  without  bearing  or 
seeing  anything  more  of  the  old  lady.  Nearly  a  year  after, 
Lord  Ty  rconnel  presented  to  her  a  letter  from  this  stranger 
It  was  from  the  mother  of  the  poet  Savage ;  who  aftei 
apologizing  for  her  seeming  rudeness  in  not  calling  upon 
her  Ladj^ship,  says : — 

*'The  day  after  I  saw  your  Ladyship,  I  was  seized 
with  such  a  violent  illness,  that  I  thought  I  should  have 
died ;  and  even  now  v/hilst  I  write,  a  shuddering  horror 
steals  over  me  at  the  recollection  of  what  I  then  endured 
from  the  terrifying  of  an  alarmed  conscience.  When 
you  call  to  mind  some  transactions  in  the  life  of  the 
miserable  individual  who  now  addresses  you,  perhaps 
you  will  recoil  with  disgust  from  any  association  with  a 
being  so  depraved  and  so  debased.  But,  oh,  dear  Madam, 
recollect  for  a  moment  that  1  am  touching  my  last  hour, 
and  that  the  prospect  is  dark  and  dreary  as  the  tomb  to 
which  I  am  rapidly  hastening.  I  tremble,  yes,  my  knees 
smite  against  each  other  at  the  apprehension  of  the  sen- 
tence I  must  receive  at  that  awful  tribunal  before  which 
I  must  soon  appear.  But  I  trust  there  may  be  mercy, 
even  for  me,  vile  offender  as  I  am." 

This  was  an  object  to  excite  the  compassionate  in- 


THE     COUNTESS     VISITING    TUE     SICK.     69 

terest  of  Lady  Huntingxlon;  and  tliougli  tliere  are  no 
documents  to  testify  to  it,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  her 
Ladyship  visited  this  wretched  woman,  and  endeavoured 
to  point  out  how  even  her  great  crimes  could  be  forgiven 
through  Jesus  Christ.     She  died  October  11th,  1753. 

In  the   summer  of  1743,   the   Earl   and   Countess   of 
Huntingdon,  with  the  Ladies  Hastings,  arrived  at  Led- 
stone  Hall,  which  had  not  been  visited  by  any  of  the 
family  since  the  decease  of  Lady  Betty  Hastings.     The 
progress  of  Methodism  in  Yorkshire  had  been  very  en- " 
couraging.     Mr.  Ingham  and  Mr.  Eogers,  a  clergyman  of 
the  church  of  England,  were  attracting  great  crowds  of 
hearers ;  and  a  number  of  Moravian  ministers  settled  in 
the   country.     Many   lay-preachers   also   arose,    among 
whom  were  three  brothers  of  the  name  of  Batty,  who 
were  eloquent  preachers.     The  societies  were  considered 
in    communion  with   the   Established  Church,    and   in 
union  with  the  Moravians,  till  being  greatly  disturbed  by 
mobs,  they  were  compelled  to  shelter  themselves  undei 
the  Toleration  Act,  and  license  their  chapels  by  the  name 
of  The  Protestant  Church  of  the  United  Brethren.     A  mighty 
coadjutor  was  raised  up  in  the  Eev.  William  Grimshaw, 
rector  of  Ha  worth,  near  Bradford ;  a  village,  whose  in- 
habitants were  as  wild  and  uncultivated  as  the  soil,  and 
as  cold  and  lifeless  as  the  bleak  rocks  and  hills  which 
surrounded  them.     His  preaching  was  powerful  and  ef- 
fective,  and  aroused   the   attention  of  men.     Soon   his 
church  was  crowded  with  astonished  hearers  ;  and  a  great 
reformation  in  the  morals  of  the  place  quickly  appeared. 
He  visited  his  parish  from  house  to  house,  teaching  and 
expostulating  with  his  people  ;  and  paid  great  attention 
to  the  aged  and  the  young.     His  energy  and  zeal  were 
not  confined  to  his  own  parish  ;  he  assisted  Mr.  Ingham 
in  his  circuits  ;  and  in  his  idle  week  preached  about  four- 
teen times,   whilst  in  his  husy  week,  the  number  of  his 
sermons  sometimes  amounted  to   thirty.     While  Lady 


70  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Huntingdon  was  at  Ledstone,  !Mr.  and  Lady  Margaret 
Ingliam,  and  Mr.  Grimsbaw  were  guests  at  tlie  Hall ;  and 
were  afterwards  joined  by  Charles  Wesley  and  Mr. 
Graves,  who  were  itinerating  in  Yorkshire  with  considera- 
ble success.  During  their  stay  at  the  mansion,  there  was 
preaching  twice  for  many  successive  days,  and  great 
crowds  were  gathered  from  various  parts,  and  often  from 
a  great  distance.  The  congregations  were  so  vast  that 
the  services  were  generally  held  in  the  open  air,  and  often 
many  sermons  were  preached  at  intervals  on  the  same 
day. 

There  was  then  a  preacher  in  Yorkshire,  named 
John  Nelson,  of  whom  her  Ladyship  had  heard  so  much 
that  she  greatly  desired  to  see  him.  He  was  a  native  ot 
Birstal  near  Leeds ;  and  while  employed  in  the  building 
of  Somerset  House,  London,  was  deeply  impressed  by  the 
preaching  of  Wesley  and  Whitefield,  and  led  to  believe 
in  Christ.  On  his  return  to  his  native  place,  he  longed 
to  impart  the  blessings  he  had  received  to  his  friends ; 
whom  he  assembled  at  his  house.  The  room  was  soon 
crowded ;  and  when  his  house  could  not  contain  those 
who  flocked  to  him,  he  stood  on  his  door-step  in  the 
evening,  and  talked  about  the  way  of  salvation.  Mr. 
Ingham  heard  him  expound,  and  secured  his  services  to 
exhort  in  his  societies;  which  he  did  with  surprising 
success.  Lady  Huntingdon,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Ingham 
and  Mr.  Graves,  went  to  Birstal  to  hear  this  remarkable 
exhorter.  After  Mr.  Ingham  had  addressed  the  assembled 
thousands,  John  Nelson  rose,  and  spoke  for  half  an  hour 
amidst  the  breathless  silence  of  the  audience.  The  Coun- 
tess was  delighted,  and,  when  parting,  told  him  with  her 
characteristic  energy,  that  God  had  called  him  to  the 
work,  and  would  severely  punish  him  if  he  grew  weary 
of  it,  and  added,  "  He  that  calleth  you  is  mighty  to  save ; 
fear  not,  press  forward ;  He  will  bless  your  testimony." 
John  followed  her  advice,  and  pressed  forward ;  he  greatly 


J  0  II  :^    N  E  L  S  0  N  .  71 

extended  his  circuity  and  preached  in  different  parts  of 
the  country.  Many  were  the  difficulties  and  dangers  he 
met  with.  Sometimes  a  fierce  mob  attacked  him  while 
preaching,  and  drove  him  and  his  congregation  to  some 
place  of  refuge ;  missiles  and  mud  were  thrown  at  him  ; 
and  his  life  endangered  by  the  violence  of  his  enemies. 

The  vicar  of  Birstal  resolved  to  rid  him.  self  of  this 
zealous  preacher  ;  and  arranged  that  he  should  be  pressed 
for  a  soldier.     He  was  carried  to  Halifax  before  the  com- 
missioners, where  the  vicar  was  on  the  bench  ;  and  after 
vainly  remonstrating,  was  marched  off  to  Bradford,  and 
thrust  into  a  dungeon,  for  the  sole  crime  of  being  anxious 
for  God's  glory,  and  the  good  of  mankind.     His  courage 
did  not  for  one  moment  forsake  him;   friends  brought 
him  candles,  meat,  and  water,  and  sang  outside  the  prison 
the  hymn  he  was  singing  within ;  and  his  wife  came  and 
shouted  to  him  through  the  key-hole,    ''Fear  not,  but 
trust  in  God."     The  indignities  he  suffered  on  his  way  to 
York  were  of  the  most  barbarous  kind :  and  wherever  he 
staid  for  the  night,  vast  crowds  came  to  see  him  through 
the  grated  windows  of  his  goal.     Soon  after  his  arrival 
at  York,  he  was  brought  before  the  court ;  and  when  the 
indictment  was  read,  the  only  charge  preferred  Avas,  ''This 
is  the  Methodist  preacher,  and  he  refuses  to  take  the  ser- 
vice money."     No  threat  could  induce  him  to  take  the 
king's  coin ;    and  he  bore  his  arms  and  accoutrements  as 
a  cross  he  was  compelled  to  take  up.     He  still,  however, 
preached,  prayed,  and  distributed  Wesley's  little  books, 
with  as  much  zeal  as  ever ;  for  which  he  was  cursed  by 
the  ensign  of  his  company,  and  thrust  into  prison.     Lady 
Huntingdon  used  all  her  influence  to  obtain  his  discharge. 
She  Avas  well  acquainted  with  the  Dowager  Countess  of 
Sunderland,  through  whom  she   obtained  an  interview 
with  her  step-son  Charles,  Earl  of  Sunderland,  who,  a 
short  time  before,  had  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Bri- 
gadier General  of  His  Majesty's  forces.     His  Lordship, 


72  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

after  patiently  hearing  tbe  case,  assured  her  that  those  for 
whom,  she  had  pleaded  should  be  set  at  liberty  in  a  few 
days.  She  communicated  the  intelligence  to  Nelson, 
through  Charles  "Wesley;  and  he  was  released  from  his 
captivity,  July  28th. 

During  Lord  Huntingdon's  life,  Ledstone  Hall  was 
visited  every  summer,  when  numerous  meetings  were 
held  of  a  highly  interesting  character.  General  convoca- 
tions of  the  preachers  and  exhorters  were  convened,  which 
were  frequently  attended  by  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  Lady 
Margaret  Ingham ;  special  services  were  held  in  the 
church  and  in  the  open-air ;  and  a  great  interest  was 
created  among  the  people  for  the  difi'usion  of  the  gospel. 
]\Ir.  Grimshaw  was  very  zealous  on  these  occasions ;  and 
though  he  encountered  much  opposition,  his  determined 
and  undaunted  nature  enabled  him  to  disarm  his  enemies, 
and  to  effect  his  purpose.  He  met  with  a  stout  opponent 
in  the  vicar  of  Colne,  who,  on  one  occasion,  rushed  with 
staffin  hand  into  the  house  where  he  was  holding  a 
meeting,  followed  by  the  constable,  and  a  mob  of  the 
lowest  rabble  ;  and  dragged  him  and  his  fellow  preachers, 
Mr.  Ingham  and  Mr.  Batty,  off  as  prisoners.  They  re- 
fused to  sign  a  contract  not  to  preach  for  six  months,  and 
were  hurried  along  by  their  captors,  pelted  with  mud  and 
stones,  and  had  their  lives  endangered  by  the  clubs  of  the 
mob.  Mr.  Ingham's  coat  was  torn  from  his  back  ;  and 
the  three  captives  were  compelled  to  remain  at  an  inn  till 
the  vicar  was  pleased  to  release  them. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  shortly  after  her  return  from 
Yorkshire,  visited  by  a  severe  domestic  trial.  She  was 
devotedly  attached  to  her  children  ;  and  it  now  pleased  the 
Lord  to  remove  two  of  her  beloved  sons,  George  and 
Ferdinando  Hastings,  by  the  small  pox,  which  was  then 
making  such  fearful  ravages  in  England.  They  died 
within  a  very  short  period  of  each  other,  one  aged  thir 
teen  and  the  other  aged  ten  years.     Her  mind  was  very 


DR.    DODDRIDGE.  73 

deeply  affected  with  lier  loss,  yet  her  grief  was  mitigated 
by  the  consolations  of  the  gospel.  She  humbled  herself 
under  the  bereaving  stroke,  and  was  enabled  to  realize 
the  precious  promises  which  God  has  given  to  his  people 
through  Christ.  Even  the  dark  clouds  which  surrounded 
her  appeared  beautiful,  because  they  reflected  so  clearly 
the  bow  of  promise  ;  which  only  increased  in  brightness 
with  the  intensity  of  the  surrounding  darkness. 

The  revival  of  religion  had  now  assumed  some  form 
and  consistence  in  the  land.  Many  meeting  houses  had 
been  erected  in  various  places,  societies  formed  and  dis- 
ciplined, rules  laid  down,  lay-preachers  admitted,  and  a 
regular  system  of  itinerancy  established.  Several  clergy- 
men, who  had  been  aroused  by  the  preaching  of  Wesley 
and  Whitefield,  now  came  boldly  forward,  and  united 
themselves  with  the  cause  of  Methodism.  Among  these 
were  the  Eevs.  J.  Hodges,  rector  of  Wenvo ;  H.  Piers, 
vicar  of  Bexley ;  S.  Taylor,  vicar  of  Quintin  ;  C.  Manning, 
vicar  of  Hayes  ;  V.  Perronet,  vicar  of  Shoreham ;  J.  Mer- 
riton,  from  the  Isle  of  Man ;  and  E.  T.  Bateman,  rector 
of  St.  Bartholomew's  the  Great,  London.  These  pious 
ministers  were  intimately  acquainted  with  Lady  Hun- 
tingdon, and  were  encouraged  by  her  to  persevere  in 
their  efforts  to  spread  the  gospel  throughout  the  land. 
The  first  Methodist  Conference  was  held  in  London,  June 
25th,  1744 ;  at  which  there  were  six  clergymen  and  four 
travelling  preachers  present,  who  were  received  and  hos- 
pitably entertained  by  her  Ladyship  at  her  house  in- 
London.  Her  drawing-rooms  were  thrown  open,  and  the 
first  public  services  held  there,  that  we  have  any  mention 
of  during  Lord  Huntingdon's  lifetime.  John  Wesley 
then  preached  from  the  text  "  What  hath  God  wrought ;" 
and  other  ministers  took  part  in  the  service. 

Though  Lady  Huntingdon  was  warmly  attached  to  the 
Established  Church,  she  possessed  enlightened  views  of 
Christianity,  and  a  glowing  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  men. 


74  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

She  was  far  in  advance  of  her  times  in  catholicity  of 
S2:)irit^  and  liberality  of  sentiment ;  and  frequently  stimu- 
lated the  great  leaders  of  Methodism  to  extend  their 
operations,  when  they  were  inclined  to  restrict  their 
efforts  to  certain  modes  of  action.  She  felt  a  powerful 
sympathy  towards  all  who  loved  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  formed  an  acquaintance  with  many  of  the  pious  and 
distinguished  Dissenters.  She  had  been  introduced  to 
Dr.  Watts  by  his  friend  and  patroness  Lady  Abney,  and 
was  on  terms  of  intimate  friendship  with  him  during  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  He  often  visited  her  town  residence, 
corresponded  with  her  when  in  the  country,  and  through 
the  kindness  of  Lady  Abney,  enjoyed  much  of  her  society 
at  Abney  Park.  Dr.  Doddridge,  the  renowned  author  of 
"  The  Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soid,''^  a  work 
which  has  been  so  extensively  useful,  was  also  numbered 
among  her  intimate  friends,  and  with  whom  she  frequently 
corresponded.  He  incurred  the  censure  of  his  brethren 
by  preaching  for  Whitefield  at  the  Tabernacle ;  and  even 
Dr.  Watts  was  inclined  to  think  unkindly  of  him  for  it ; 
but  the  conversation  of  Lady  Huntingdon  induced  him  to 
commend  his  efforts  to  spread  everywhere  the  blessings 
of  salvation.  The  letters  of  the  Countess  to  Doddridge, 
indicate  the  high  opinion  she  entertained  of  his  abilities 
and  spirituality  ;  and  his  communications  to  her  show  the 
regard  he  had  for  her  intellectual  powers,  her  piety,  and 
her  generous  exertions.  In  one  of  them  she  says,  "  We 
want  not  that  friendship  which  the  world  has,  discovering 
its  degree  by  the  mere  outward  shows  of  ceremony ;  but 
those  hearts  who  hiow  Him  that  was  from  the  beginning: 
— by  this  acquaintance,  they  can  trace  back  the  several 
other  influences  upon  their  minds,  besides  the  secret  ones 
of  His  to  them ;  and  will  not  wonder  such  things  should 
help  them  to  maintain  an  esteem  of  mankind  till  a 
stronger  motive  supplies  its  place." 

The  year  1745  was  a  period  of  great  anxiety  and  some 


PERSECUTION.  75 

dan£rer  to  those  who  were  concerned  for  the  interests  of 
religion.  War  was  declared  between  England  and 
France  ;  and  the  latter  power  resolved  to  create  a  favour- 
able diversion,  by  landing  the  young  Chevalier  to  erect 
the  banner  of  the  Pretender  in  Scotland.  A  desperate 
efibrt  was  made  to  restore  him  to  the  throne  of  the  ex- 
iled Stuarts  ;  and  for  a  time  the  Jacobite  party  prevailed. 
The  standard  of  the  young  prince  was  followed  by  many 
of  the  highland  nobility  ;  and  before  the  year  closed,  he 
had  defeated  the  royal  troops  in  several  engagements, 
taken  possession  of  the  principal  towns  of  Scotland,  and 
had  advanced  into  England  as  far  as  Derby.  During  the 
progress  of  these  events,  it  was  natural  that  the  govern- 
ment should  closely  watch  the  movements  of  the  people, 
and  prevent  any  demonstration  of  sympathy  for  the  Pre- 
tender. The  extraordinary  proceedings  of  the  Methodists 
were  under  the  eye  of  the  state.  The  cabinet  was  quickly 
informed,  that  AVhitefield  was  accustomed  to  draw  thirty 
thousand  persons  out  of  London  to  hear  him  preach  on 
Kennington  Common,  and  that  nearly  as  many  were  col- 
lected to  hear  him  on  Moorfields ;  and  that  Wesley  fre- 
quently stood  on  Tower  Hill,  in  the  streets  of  Bristol, 
among  the  miners  of  Cornwall,  and  the  colliers  of  Kings- 
Avood  and  Newcastle,  and  addressed  vast  crowds  of 
people. 

The  strangest  suspicions,  and  vilest  calumnies  were  in- 
dustriously circulated  respecting  the  designs  of  the 
Methodists.  Whitefield  was  now  away  in  America,  and 
escaped  the  condemnations  which  were  freely  uttered  ; 
but  Wesley  had  to  bear  the  whole  force  of  the  misrepre- 
sentations of  his  enemies.  It  was  confidently  asserted 
that  he  was  a  papist,  and  kept  priests  in  his  house  ;  that 
he  was  in  league  with  the  Spaniards,  and  received  large 
sums  of  money  to  distribute  among  the  people ;  and 
that  he  was  acting  in  concert  with  the  Pretender  !  His 
brother  Charles  was  summoned  before  the  magistrates  at 
Wakefield,  and  accused  of  disloyalty.     In  a  prayer,  he 


76  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     UUNTINGDON. 

had  supplicated  that  God  would  call  home  ''his  banished 
ones  ;"  which  was  interpreted  by  his  enemies  to  mean  the 
Pretender.  He^  however,  clearly  explained  his  meaning 
to  the  magistrates,  who  expressed  themselves  perfectly 
satisfied  with  his  statement.  Even  the  rank  and  influence 
of  Lady  Huntingdon  did  not  screen  her  from  the  base  in- 
sinuations of  the  enemies  of  religion.  She  was  accused 
of  favouring  the  Pretender ;  and  mobs  were  collected  in 
the  streets  near  her  house,  who  called  out  for  her  Lady- 
ship to  appear,  and  threatened  to  tear  her  in  pieces  if  they 
could  seize  her  person. 

These  aspersions,  which  were  freely  cast  on  the  charac- 
ter of  the  Methodists,  increased  the  hatred  and  stimulated 
the  zeal  of  their  persecutors.  Every  Sunday  damnation 
was  denounced  against  them  from  the  pulpits ;  mobs 
broke  into  their  assemblies,  and  insulted  their  preachers ; 
and  many  of  the  itinerants,  sent  out  by  Lady  Huntingdon, 
were  ill-treated  and  beaten.  As  some  of  the  magistrates 
refused  to  interfere,  and  others  condemned  the  Methodists, 
Lady  Huntingdon  addressed  a  remonstrance  to  Lord 
Carteret,  one  of  His  Majesty's  Principal  Secretaries  of 
State  ;  who  laid  it  before  the  King.  It  was  a  fortunate 
circumstance  for  the  interests  of  religion,  that  the  throne 
was  occupied  by  a  prince  of  the  House  of  Hanover. 
George  II.  was  too  wise  a  sovereign  not  to  perceive 
where  the  strength  of  his  throne  existed.  The  high- 
church  party  viewed  him  as  an  alien ;  the  dissenters 
treated  him  as  the  patron  of  civil  and  religious  liberty ; 
and  he  adopted  the  policy  of  increasing  the  privileges  of 
the  latter,  that  they  might  be  a  check  upon  the  former. 
Lady  Huntingdon  and  many  of  her  noble  friends,  who 
had  joined  the  Methodists,  were  well-known  at  Court  as 
the  staunch  supporters  of  the  House  of  Hanover.  King 
George,  therefore,  caused  Lord  Carteret  to  forward  to  her 
Ladyship  a  letter,  dated  November  19th,  1745,  in  which 
he  says  that  the  King,  as  father  and  protector  of  his 
people,    will   permit   no   persecution   to   take   place   on  ' 


PERSECUTION.  77 

account  of  religion ;  and  that  all  magistrates  sball  be 
requested  to  aflbrd  protection  to  those  who  require  it,  in 
the  discharge  of  their  religious  observances. 

One  effect  of  the  persecution,  to  which  the  Methodists 
were  exposed,  was,  to  force  them  to  take  refuge  under 
the  Toleration  Act.  Yet  their  position  was  totally 
distinct  from  that  for  which  the  Act  provided ;  and  a  less 
tolerant  monarch  might  have  driven  them  from  it,  or 
forced  them  to  give  up  what  they  highly  valued.  They 
refused  to  call  themselves  Dissenters,  and  professed  a 
warm,  and  devoted  attachment  to  the  Establishment ; 
they  believed  her  articles,  retained  her  liturgy  and  cere- 
monies, communed  at  her  tables ;  and  professed  that  they 
were  the  strictest  members  of  the  Church,  because  they 
were  anxious, to  restore  her  to  her  former  dignity  and 
usefulness.  The  intentions  of  the  King  were  soon  made 
known  throughout  the  nation  :  and  although  petty  magis- 
trates, inflamed  by  a  godless  clergy,  sometimes  refused  to 
afford  redress  to  the  persecuted,  the  superior  courts  were 
ordered  by  the  government  to  punish  with  severity  all 
who  insulted  or  injured  the  Methodists. 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  part  of  the  summer  of  1745  at 
Clifton,  and  was  unremitting  in  her  exertions  for  the 
diffusion  of  the  truth.  In  August  the  second  Methodist 
Conference  was  held  at  Bristol ;  w^hich  was  attended  by 
three  clergymen,  the  Eevs.  John  Hodges,  rector  of 
Wenvo,  John  and  Charles  Wesley,  and  seven  travelling 
preachers.  Her  Ladyship  formed  an  acquaintance  with 
these  apostolic  labourers,  particularly  with  Messrs.  Eich- 
ards,  Meyrick  and  Moss,  whom  she  invited  to  follow  her 
to  Bath,  whither  she  retired  for  a  short  period.  These 
three  preachers  were  great  favourites  with  Lady  Hunting- 
don ;  and,  after  they  left  "Wesley's  societies,  were  episco- 
pally  ordained  through  her  interest. 

At  the  commencement  of  1746  the  storm  which  had 
threatened  to  overturn  the  house  of  Hanover,  and  bring 


78  MEMOIE     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

back  the  Stuarts  and  despotism,  had  nearly  blown  over. 
The  Chevalier,  disappointed  at  his  failure,  returned  to 
Scotland,  where  every  day  his  position  became  more 
critical.  Lady  Huntingdon  exerted  all  her  influence  in 
the  cause  of  civil  and  religious  freedom ;  and  from  the 
pulpits  of  the  Methodists,  stirring  sermons  were  preached 
against  the  insurgents.  The  dissenters  w^ere  also  zealous 
in  their  concern  for  the  safety  of  the  throne ;  and  Dr. 
Doddridge  assisted,  as  far  as  possible,  to  induce  his  people 
to  enlist.  John  Wesley  preached  at  Newcastle  to  the 
English  army,  and  was  made  very  useful  to  many  of  the 
soldiers.  At  length  the  fatal  battle  of  Culloden,  April 
16th,  put  an  end  to  the  wild  schemes  of  the  Pretender, 
and  restored  peace  to  the  United  Kingdon.  It  was  in 
this  struggle  that  the  intimate  friend  of  Lady  Huntingdon, 
Colonel  Gardiner,  perished,  of  whom  Dr.  Doddridge  has 
written  such  an  interesting  memoir.  The  Doctor  preached 
an  eloquent  sermon  on  his  death,  which  he  afterwards 
published,  and  sent  her  Ladyship  one  hundred  copies 
for  distribution.  The  Countess  deplored  his  death,  yet 
rejoiced  in  the  thought  that  he  was  fully  prepared  for  it, 
and  that  he  was  realizing  what  was  still  to  her  the  object 
of  faith.  She  pays  a  graceful  tribute  to  his  memory,  in  a 
long  letter  to  John  Wesley,  and  also  records  her  praise 
of  the  author  of  the  discourse.  ^'Eminently  successful 
in  illuminating  multitudes,  in  various  parts  of  the 
country,  with  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  the  soul  of  this  excellent  minister  of  Christ  is  ever 
burning  for  a  more  extensive  advancement  of  religion, 
where  it  is  not  yet  known,  or  its  blessed  effects  felt  by 
the  people.  He  would  do  honour  to  any  age  of  the 
Church,  and  his  honesty  and  zeal  entitle  him  to  unquali- 
fied praise." 

In  the  month  of  April,  Lady  Huntingdon  was  attacked 
by  a  serious  illness  which  brought  on  fever,  and  greatly 
alarmed  her  friends ;  biit  by  the  skill  of  her  medical  at- 


siCKNUss.  79 

tendants^  and  tlie  blessing  of  Grod,  slie  was  restored  to 
health  and  strength.  While  she  was  suffering  from  such 
debility  that  she  could  hardly  hold  a  pen,  she  wrote  to 
the  Wesleys  and  Dr.  Doddridge  for  their  assistance  in  a 
fresh  attempt  to  spread  the  gospel  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  her  mansion.  She  had  lately  taken  a  young  clergy- 
man, the  Eev.  Gr.  Baddelley,  D.D.,  into  her  family  as  her 
domestic  chaplain;  and  feeling  great  interest  in  his  wel- 
fixre,  had  presented  to  him  the  rectory  of  Markfield.  He 
gained  the  affection  of  his  people,  and  by  the  desire  of 
the  Countess,  conducted  a  little  meeting  in  the  mansion ; 
which,  though  greatly  opposed  at  first,  became  increasingly 
useful.  He  was  very  anxious  to  meet  with  a  pious  minis- 
ter to  supply  his  place  whenever  he  was  absent ;  and  her 
Ladyship  wrote  to  her  ministerial  friends,  and  requested 
them  to  look  out  for  a  suitable  person  to  be  his  curate. 
He  would  have  an  entrance  into  four  churches,  and  to  of- 
ficiate as  her  chaplain  ;  and  by  their  united  efforts,  Lady 
Huntingdon  cherished  the  hope  that  the  gospel  would  be 
widely  diffused  in  Leicestershire,  and  great  good  ef- 
fected. 

Lady  Huntingdon  had  scarcely  recovered  from  the  loss 
of  her  children,  and  from  her  own  illness,  before  she  was 
bereaved  of  her  husband,  who  died  at  his  house  in  Down- 
ing-Street,  Westminster,  October  13th,  1746.  This  was 
a  severe  blow  to  her  Ladyship ;  but  she  realized  the 
poAver  of  the  gospel  to  console  and  support  in  the  time 
of  trouble.  Never  was  there  a  better  father,  a  kinder 
brother,  a  more  tender  husband,  and  a  more  indulgent 
master.  He  always  yielded  to  the  wishes  of  the  Countess ; 
and  though  a  stranger  to  the  divine  happiness  she  en- 
joyed, he  rejoiced  in  seeing  her  full  of  joy.  He  was 
buried  with  his  ancestors  in  the  old  church  of  Ashby-de- 
la-Zouch,  where  the  following  epitaph,  from  the  pen  of 
Lord  Bolingbroke,  may  be  seen.  It  is  not  more  honoura- 
ble to  the  Earl  than  to  the  widow ;  it  records  the  domestic 


80     MEMOIR  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 

cliaracter  of  the  Countess,  and  exhibits  the  majesty  and 
loveliness  of  genuine  piety ;  and  is  the  more  remarkable, 
as  it  emanated  from  the  pen  of  a  sceptic,  who,  by  his  in- 
timacy with  the  family,  had  witnessed  all  that  he  has  ex- 
pressed on  the  tablet. 

"  Here  lie  the  remains  of  the  Eight  Honourable  Theo- 
philus.  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  Lord  Hastings,  Hungerford, 
Botreaux,  Moels,  Newmark,  and  Molins.  If  his  death 
deserved  respect,  his  life  deserved  it  more.  If  he  de- 
rived his  title  from  a  long  roll  of  illustrious  ancestors,  he 
reflected  back  on  them  superior  honours.  He  ennobled 
nobility  by  virtue.  He  was  of  the  first  rank  in  both ; 
good  in  every  relation  of  natural  duty  and  social  life. 
The  learning  he  acquired  at  school,  he  improved  at  Ox- 
ford,, under  the  care  of  that  excellent  person,  the  late 
Bishoj)  of  Gloucester.  Acquainted  by  his  studies  with 
tlie  characters  of  past  ages,  he  acquired  by  his  travels  a 
knowledge  of  the  men  and  manners  of  his  own  ;  he  visi- 
ted France,  Italy,  and  even  Spain.  After  these  excursions 
into  other  couutries,  he  settled  in  his  own.  His  own  was 
dear  to  him.  No  man  had  juster  notions  of  the  true  con- 
stitution of  her  government ;  no  man  had  a  more  com- 
prehensive view  of  her  real  interests,  domestic  and 
foreign.  Capable  of  excelling  in  every  form  of  public 
life,  he  chose  to  appear  in  none.  His  mind  fraught  with 
knowledge,  his  heart  elevated  with  sentiments  of  an  un- 
affected patriotism,  he  looked  down  from  higher  ground 
on  the  low  level  of  a  futile  and  corrupt  generation. 
Despairing  to  do  national  good,  he  mingled  as  little  as 
his  rank  permitted  in  national  affairs.  Home  is  the 
refuge  of  a  wise  man's  life ;  home  was  the  refuge  of  his. 
By  his  marriage  with  the  Lady  Selina  Shirley,  second 
daughter,  and  one  of  the  co-heirs  of  Washington,  Earl 
Ferrars,  he  secured  to  himself,  in  retreat,  a  scene  of  happi- 
ness he  could  not  have  found  in  the  world;  the  uninte- 
rupted   joys  of  conjugal  love,  the  never  failing  comforts 


LORD     HUNTINGDON'S     EPITAPH.  81 

of  cordial  friendship.  Every  care  was  softened,  every 
satisfaction  heightened,  every  hour  passed  smoothly  away, 
in  the  company  of  one  who  enjoyed  a  perpetual  serenity 
of  soul,  that  none  but  those  can  feel  in  this  life  who  are 
prepared  for  greater  bliss  in  the  next.  By  her,  this 
monument  is.  erected,  to  record  the  virtues  of  the  de- 
ceased, and  the  grief  of  the  living.  He  was  born  ISTo- 
vember  12th,  1696,  and  married  the  said  Lady,  June  8rd, 
1728.  By  her  he  had  four  sons  and  three  daughters, 
Francis,  the  present  Earl,  born  March  13th,  1729 ;  George, 
born  March  29  th,  1730,  who  died  of  the  small -pox,  aged 
fourteen ;  Ferdinando,  born  January  23rd,  1732;  who 
also  died  of  the  small-pox,  aged  eleven ;  Elizabeth,  the 
eldest  daughter,  born  March  23d,  1731 ;  Selina,  born 
June  1735,  who  died  an  infant ;  Selina,  the  third  daugh- 
ter, born  December  8rd,  1737.  The  said  Earl  died  of  a 
fit  of  apoplexy,  October  13th,  1746,  in  the  fiftieth  year 
of  his  ase." 


82  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     H  U  X  T  I  X  G  D  O  N  . 


CHAPTEE  Y.    A.  D.  1746—1748. 

THE   ZEAL     AXD     LIBERALITY   OF     LADY    HUXTIXGDOX. 

HER  FAMILY. — ILL-HEALTH. — VISIT  TO  LOXDOX. — DR. 
POTTER,  ARCHBISHOP  OF  CAXTERBURY. — BATH. — LADY 
HUXTIXGDOX  IX  WALES. — WHITEFIELD  APPOIXTED  HER 
CHAPLAIX — PREACHES  IX  HER  DRAWIXG-ROOMS — HIS 
SUCCESS  AMOXG  THE  XOBILITY. — LORD  BOLIXGBROKE. 
— ^LADY  SUFFOLK. — SOCIAL  PRAYER  -  MEETIXG  AMOXG 
XOBLE    LADIES. — THE   DEVIL'S    CASTAWAYS. 

The  death  of  Lord  Huntingdon  formed  a  new  era  in 
the  life  of  the  Countess.  The  losses  she  had  sustained 
deeply  chastened  her  spirit,  and  led  her  to  fix  her  affec- 
tions more  entirely  on  Christ.  She  became  dead  to  the 
world  ;  she  placed  a  fine  bust  of  herself  upon  the  tomb 
of  her  deceased  husband ;  and  to  the  latest  period  of  her 
life,  she  treasured  up  his  memory  in  her  widowed  bosom. 
She  did  not  give  way  to  unavailing  grief,  nor  shut  herself 
up  in  seclusion  ;  but  devoted  herself  to  the  discharge  of 
those  duties  which  demanded  her  attention,  and  sought 
relief  in  active  exertion  for  the  salvation  of  men.  His 
Lordship  had  such  esteem  for  her  character,  that  he  com- 
mitted to  her  the  entire  management  of  his  children  and 
their  fortunes;  which  she  carefully  attended  to,  and 
improved  with  great  fidelity.  During  his  lifetime,  her 
means  of  usefulness  were  very  circumscribed.  Her  family 
and  domestic  concerns  necessarily  took  up  much  of  her 
time ;  and  her  attendance  on  her  husband  prevented  her 
doing  as  much  good  as  she  desired  to  do.    Her  pecuniary 


H  E  R     L  I  B  E  n  A  L  I  T  Y  .  83 

resources  were  not  large ;  yet  all  she  possessed  was  ex- 
pended in  promotiDg  the  extension  of  the  Eedeemer'a 
kingdom,  and  in  relieving  the  temporal  distresses  of  the 
indigent.  She  was  thoroughly  unostentatious  in  her 
benevolent  exertions  ;  her  general  mode  of  life  was  retired; 
her  charities  were  principally  distributed  through  her 
chaplains ;  her  gifts  and  donations  were  rarely  made 
public ;  yet  in  a  long  life  of  self-denial,  she  devoted  up- 
wards of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds  towards  the 
spread  of  Evangelical  religion.  To  her  may  be  applied 
the  lauguage  of  a  beautiful  writer; — ''She  was  seen 
wherever  disappointment  and  losses  had  left  nothing  but 
the  attractions  of  misery.  She  and  the  selfish  crew  were 
sure  to  meet  very  near  the  door ;  they  leaving  their  friends 
when  they  found  nothing  more  was  to  be  enjoyed,  and 
she  hastening  thither  as  soon  as  she  found  something  was 
necessary  to  be  done." 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  now  in  the  thirty-ninth  year  of 
her  age,  and  she  solemnly  dedicated  herself,  her  time,  her 
talents,  and  her  substance  to  the  Lord.  She  renounced 
the  ease  and  splendour  of  noble  rank  for  the  service  of 
her  Saviour.  She  mingled  with  the  world  only  that  she 
might  be  useful  in  saving  souls  ;  and  exerted  all  the  in- 
fluence she  possessed  to  secure  greater  triumphs  to  the 
gospel.  Her  own  piety  was  bright  and  shining ;  the 
purity  and  devotion  of  her  zeal  were  most  strikingly 
displayed ;  and  no  one  could  remain  long  in  her  presence 
without  being  warmed  with  the  burning  love  which 
gloAved  within  her  soul.  She  spent  the  first  six  months 
of  her  widowhood  at  Donnington  Park,  which  she  con- 
tinued to  occupy  till  the  young  Earl  of  Huntingdon 
became  of  age.  She  interested  herself  in  the  welfare  of 
the  members  of  her  little  societies  around  her,  and  directed 
her  exertions  to  increase  their  number,  their  piety,  and 
their  usefulness.  She  enjoyed  at  this  season  of  affliction 
the  consolations  of  many  distinguished  friends.     Sir  John 


84  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Thorold  was  the  early  and  steady  friend  of  the  late  Earl, 
and  a  man  of  genuine  piety.  The  painful  task  of  con- 
signing the  remains  of  his  Lordship  was  intrusted  to  him ; 
and  he  manifested  a  lively  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
Countess  and  her  children.  He  deeply  sympathized  with 
her  in  her  bereavement;  wrote  a  very  aftectionate  letter  of 
condolence  with  her,  and  prayed  that  every  divine  support 
and  comfort  might  be  abundantly  administered  to  her, 
and  every  blessing  rest  on  the  young  and  interesting 
family.  Letters  were  received  from  most  of  her  friends ; 
especially  from  Dr.  Doddridge,  for  whom  she  cherished 
great  afiection.  Her  reply  to  him  indicates  the  heavenly 
state  of  mind  she  enjoyed  at  this  period,  and  her  zeal 
in  the  service  of  her  Master.  In  one  of  her  letters  she 
says, 

'^How  do  I  lament  the  weakness  of  my  hands,  the 
feebleness  of  my  knees,  and  coolness  of  my  heart.  I 
want  it  on  fire  always,  not  for  self-delight,  but  to  spread 
the  gospel  from  pole  to  pole.  Pray  for  me,  my  very 
excellent  friend,  and  cause  others  to  do  so.  I  dread  slack 
hands  in  the  vineyard  ;  we  must  be  all  up  and  doing  ;  the 
Lord  is  at  hand ;  and  let  ns  not  lose  the  things  we  have 
wrought,  but  labour  and  exhort  each  other  to  diligence 
and  faithfulness.  0  !  my  friend,  we  shall  reap  plentifully 
if  we  faint  not." 

Dr.  Doddridge  had  given  to  her  ladyship  an  account 
of  the  academy  which  he  had  long  established  for  the 
education  of  young  men  for  the  ministry.  The  Countess 
greatly  encouraged  the  work,  and  offered  to  support  one 
there,  if  he  knew  of  a  youth  who  might  be  deemed  fit  for 
the  ministry.  He  wrote  to  her,  and  assured  her  that  he 
had  great  hopes  of  finding  a  suitable  candidate ;  and  in 
her  reply,  dated  March  15th,  1747,  she  says,  ''What 
contribution  will  be  wanting  from  me  toward  this  pur- 
pose, I  beg  you  will  let  me  know,  and  my  excellent 
friend   may   depend   upon    my  gratitude   for  this  high 


HERWIDOWTHOOD.  85 

honour  vouchsafed  me ;  I  feel  my  mite  is  cast  into  the 
treasury  of  Grod ;  and  0,  inexpressible  consolation  I  that 
he  in  his  love  is  sending  these  calls  to  poor,  vile  and 
unworthy  me.  My  heart  wants  nothing  so  much  as  to 
dispense  all — all  for  the  glory  of  Ilim  whom  my  soul 
loveth."  Ilcr  health  was  at  this  time  in  a  very  delicate 
state;  which,  though  it  did  not  alarm  her,  created  great 
uneasiness  in  the  minds  of  her  family,  and  especially  of 
her  sister.  Lady  Kilmorey.  They  advised  her  to  obtain 
medical  advice,  and  Dr.  Doddridge  recommended  to  her 
Dr.  Stonhouse,  an  eminent  physician  then  in  the  height 
of  his  practice  at  Northampton.  She  consented  to  their 
solicitations,  and  requested  that,  whenever  she  should  be 
so  ill  as  to  be  thought  in  any  danger,  he  was  to  be  the 
only  person  sent  for.  Her  own  mind  was  calm  and 
joyful;  the  thought  of  her  departure  was  associated  with 
that  of  her  happiness ;  and  she  frequently  said,  ''  I  look 
to  that  bed  which  promises  me  a  refuge  from  an  evil 
world,  and  from  a  yet  more  evil  heart.  Death  is  called  a 
monster,  a  king  of  terrors,  but  as  a  Gabriel's  salutation 
shall  my  soul  meet  him ;  he  can  bring  no  other  message 
to  the  redeemed  in  Christ,  but,  '  Hail  thou  who  art  highly 
favoured  of  the  Lord.'  " 

Lady  Huntingdon  went  to  London,  towards  the  end  of 
the  summer ;  and  her  sister.  Lady  Kilmorey,  departed  for 
Shropshire.  Lady  Huntingdon  had  for  some  years 
enjoyed  the  friendship  of  Dr.  Potter,  now  Archbishop  of 
Canterburj^,  who  frequently  visited  her,  and  affectionately 
endeavoured  to  console  her  bereaved  heart.  When  Bishop 
of  Oxford,  he  viewed  the  rise  of  Methodism  with  great 
repugnance  ;  but  towards  the  close  of  his  life,  his  feelings 
towards  its  leaders  were  very  favourable ;  and  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  the  change  must  be  attributable  to  his 
long  intimacy  with  her.  After  a  partial  restoration,  her 
health  began  to  decline,  and  Dr.  Stonhouse  was  accord- 
ingly sent  for.     His  efforts  to  reduce  her  complaint  were 


86  MEMOIE     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

unavailing ;  and  lie  strongly  recommended  Iter  to  visit 
Bath,  for  tlie  benefit  of  tlie  waters.  Before  she  left 
London,  she  called  on  the  Archbishop,  who  was  then  in 
his  seventj'-fifth  year,  and  in  a  precarious  state  of  health. 
She  spoke  to  him  with  great  tenderness  and  fidelity  of 
the  near  approach  of  that  event  which  would  terminate 
their  earthly  friendship.  The  Archbishop  appeared 
deeply  affected,  and  when  parting,  took  her  hand,  and 
said  with  evident  feeling,  "  May  the  Lord  God  of  Abra- 
ham, of  Isaac,  and  of  Jacob  bless  thee  !  "  The  Countess 
spent  a  few  days  with  her  sister  in  Shropshire,  and  then 
hastened  to  Bath.  Not  long  after  her  departure  from 
London,  the  Archbishop  wrote  to  her  a  short  note,  stating 
that  he  was  very  well,  and  that  he  hoped  the  Bath  waters 
had  recruited  her  health,  and  asking  an  interest  in  her 
prayers.  After  he  had  written  it,  he  was  walking  with 
it  to  his  secretaire,  when  being  suddenly  seized  with  a 
fit,  he  dropped  upon  the  floor,  and  expired  with  the  note 
in  his  hand ! 

During  her  Ladyship's  stay  at  Bath,  she  corresponded 
with  her  ministerial  friends,  as  far  as  her  strength  would 
permit,  and  cheered  them  on  in  their  labours,  and 
warmed  their  hearts  with  the  love  and  zeal  of  her  own. 
She  cherished  the  deepest  humility,  and  cast  her  whole 
dependence  upon  Christ.  ''  I  am  nothing  ;  Christ  is  all ; 
I  disclaim,  as  well  as  disdain  any  righteousness  but  his. 
I  not  only  rejoice  that  there  is  no  wisdom  for  his  people 
but  that  from  above,  but  reject  every  pretension  to  any 
out  what  comes  from  himself.  I  want  no  holiness  he 
does  not  give  me,  and  I  could  not  accept  a  heaven  he  did 
not  prepare  me  for;  I  can  wish  for  no  liberty,  but  what 
he  likes  for  me,  and  I  am  satisfied  with  every  misery  he 
does  not  redeem  me  from  ;  that  in  all  things  1  may  feel 
that  without  him  I  can  do  nothing."  Ilcr  fiimily  then 
consisted  of  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  and  she  watched 
over  them  with  maternal  anxiety,  and  fervently  prayed 


LADY      HUNTINGDON    AT      BATH.  87 

for  their  salvation.  Her  time  was  divided  between  her 
social  duties,  and  her  pions  exertions  to  do  good ;  and 
was  jealously  watched  lest  any  portion  of  it  should  pass 
unoccupied.  She  was  a  diligent  student ;  and  by  her 
painful  experience  had  gained  clear  views  of  truth,  and 
of  the  ceaseless  workings  of  the  human  spirit.  The  gos- 
pel was  her  most  delightful  study  and  the  more  she 
drank  of  its  waters,  the  clearer  and  deeper  were  her 
views  of  the  spirit  and  liberality  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion. She  endeavoured  to  carry  out  its  principles  in  her 
intercourse  with  the  world  and  the  church.  She  ex- 
amined the  peculiarities  of  the  Dissenters,  and  of  the 
Church  of  England ;  and  deliberately  decided  that  it  was 
her  duty  to  adhere  to  the  latter.  She,  however,  was  no 
bigot,  but  encouraged  all  holy  ministers,  who  were 
anxious  to  save  souls  and  promote  the  interests  of  re- 
ligion, though  they  might  differ  from  her  on  many  minor 
points.  The  society  of  worthy  ministers  was  courted  by 
her ;  and  with  many  of  them  she  became  intimate,  kept 
up  a  regular  correspondence,  and  invited  them  to  her 
house.  She  respected  the  conscientious  scruples  they 
cherished,  and  did  everything  in  her  power  to  assist  them 
in  their  labours,  and  to  foster  the  spirit  of  piety  and 
unity  among  them. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1748,  Lady  Huntingdon  and 
her  daughters,  accompanied  by  Lady  Anne  and  Lady 
Frances  Hastings,  left  Bath  on  a  tour  through  Wales. 
Her  attention  had  been  often  directed  to  this  interesting: 
sphere  of  labour.  Howell  Harris  had  created  a  great 
stir  among  the  people  by  his  energetic  labours ;  White- 
field  had  frequently  preached  to  them  the  startling  truths 
of  the  gospel ;  and  many  of  the  clergy  had  been  stimu- 
lated by  the  word  of  life,  and  were  co-operating  with  the 
Methodists.  The  position  and  influence  of  Ladj^  Hunt- 
ingdon, and  her  well-known  sentiments,  induced  the 
Welsh  preachers  to  invite  her  to  a  people,  remarkable 


88  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

for  tlieir  simplicity;  earnestness;  and  gratitude.  Tlie 
Countess  vras  met  at  Bristol  by  four  celebrated  Welsli 
ministers ;  tlie  well-known  Howell  Harris ;  Griffith 
JoneS;  rector  of  Llandowrer ;  Daniel  Kowlands,  rector  of 
Llangeitto  ;  and  Howel  Davis,  rector  of  Prengast.  These 
preachers  accompanied  her  Ladyship  into  the  principality. 
They  travelled  by  easy  stages ;  and  for  fifteen  days  two 
of  the  ministers  preached  daily  in  some  town  or  village 
through  which  they  passed;  and  scattered  the  seed  of  di- 
vine truth.  It  was  surprising  to  see  the  readiness  with 
which  the  people  left  their  occupations  to  hear  the  glad 
newS;  and  the  deep  attention  they  paid  to  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel. 

On  her  Ladyship's  arrival  at  Trevecca  in  Brecknock- 
shire, the  spot  which  twenty  years  after  became  her  chief 
residence,  and  the  centre  of  her  sphere  of  action,  the 
party  was  joined  by  several  of  the  awakened  clergymen, 
some  pious  and  laborious  dissenting  ministers,  and  many 
exhorters  or  lay-preachers.  The  place  quickly  became 
the  scene  of  a  wonderful  excitement ;  crowds  were 
attracted  by  the  rank  and  character  of  the  Countess  from 
all  parts  of  the  country  ;  the  ministers  preached  four  or 
five  times  a  day  to  immense  congregations ;  and  the 
Spirit  of  God  wrought  powerfully  on  the  hearts  of  the 
hearers.  On  one  occasion  Griffith  Jones  preached  in  a 
large  field,  from  the  text,  ''What  shall  I  cry?"  when 
many  were  so  powerfully  convinced  of  their  guilt  and 
misery,  that  they  cried  out  with  agonizing  earnestness. 
On  the  conclusion  of  the  sermon.  Lady  Huntingdon 
mingled  with  the  crowd,  and  asked  them  the  cause  of 
their  loud  cries ;  and  most  of  them  answered  that  they 
were  so  deeply  convinced  of  their  awful  condition  in  the 
sight  of  God,  that  they  were  afraid  he  would  never 
extend  his  mercy  to  them.  On  another  occasion,  when 
Mr.  Rowlands  was  preaching,  the  Spirit  applied  the  word 
with  such  power  to  the  heart,  that  believers  were  so 


G  E  I  F  F  I  T  II     J  O  X  E  S .  89 

enraptured  tliat  tliey  burst  out  into  praises  and  rejoicing, 
while  sinners  cried  out  with  heartfelt  distress,  "Men  and 
brethren,  what  shall  we  do  !  "  Lady  Huntingdon  shortly 
after  left  Wales,  accompanied  by  Howell  Harris  and 
Howell  Davis,  and  arrived  in  London  June  15th,  1748. 
Her  efforts  in  the  principality  had  been  made  very  useful ; 
her  own  spirit  had  been  greatly  refreshed ;  her  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  Welsh  people  had  been  largely 
increased ;  and  she  ever  looked  back  upon  this  visit  to 
them  with  feelings  of  devout  gratitude. 

The  Countess  now  became  the  avowed  patroness  of  all 
the  zealous  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  sheltered 
them,  as  far  as  she  was  able,  from  the  obloquy  and  perse- 
cution to  which  they  were  exposed.  Her  correspondence 
with  the  Welsh  ministers,  and  many  of  the  friends  of 
AVhitefield,  opened  to  her  mind  views  of  divine  truth, 
which  appeared  to  her  more  consonant  to  the  Scriptures 
than  those  she  had  formerly  held  ;  and  from  this  period 
she  became  more  intimately  connected  with  ministers  and 
Christians  of  the  Calvinistic  sentiments,  which  she  believ- 
ed, with  Lord  Chatham,  harmonized  with  the  natural 
sense  of  the  Articles  of  the  Church  of  England.  She 
held  these  opinions,  with  great  tenacity,  to  the  day  of  her 
death;  though  her  heart  was  ever  ready  to  welcome  all 
whom  she  believed  to  be  real  Christians,  whatever  their 
denomination ;  and  her  mansion  at  Chelsea,  and  its 
hospitality  were  always  open  to  the  faithful  minister  of 
the  cross.  Dr.  Doddridge,  who  was  now  in  London, 
often  visited  her,  and  enjoyed  the  kind  and  friendly 
hospitality  of  her  house.  In  a  letter  to  his  wife,  he  gives 
a  beautiful  picture  of  the  inmates  of  this  mansion.  He 
says : — 

"  I  can  conclude  with  telling  you  that  I  am  now  come 
to  the  conclusion  of  one  of  the  most  pleasant  days  I  shall 
ever  spend  without   you.      After   an   hour's   charming 


90  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     IIUNTIXGDON. 

conversation  ^vitli  Lady  Huntingdon  and  Mrs.  Edwin,* 
I  preaclied  in  the  family,  by  express  desire,  and  met 
Colonel  Gumlej^,  wlio  is  really  a  second  Colonel  Gardiner. 
Such  a  monument  of  the  power  and  sovereignty  of 
divine  grace,  as,  truly,  I  have  hardly  met  with,  since  1 
was  acquainted  Avith  his  story.  After  dinner,  the  ladies 
entertained  us  with  their  voices  and  a  harpsichord,  with 
which  I  was  highly  delighted  ;  and  I  have  stolen  a  hymn, 
which  I  steadfastly  believe  to  be  written  by  good  Lady 
Huntingdon,  and  which  I  shall  not  fail  to  communicate 
to  you.        ****-x-***-5{- 

"  Lady  Huntingdon  is  quite  a  mother  to  the  poor ;  she 
visits  them  and  prays  with  them  in  their  sickness ;  and 
they  leave  their  children  to  her  for  a  legacy  when  they 
die,  and  she  takes  care  of  them.  I  was  really  astonished 
at  the  traces  of  religion  I  discovered  in  her  and  Mrs. 
Edwin,  and  cannot  but  glorify  God  for  them.  More 
cheerfulness  I  never  saw  intermingled  with  devotion." 

George  Whitefield  arrived  in  England  in  July,  1748 
after  an  absence  of  four  years  in  America,  where  his 
labours  had  been  abundantly  blessed  by  God.  Lady 
Huntingdon  frequently  attended  his  ministry,  was  per- 
sonally acquainted  with  him,  and  had  occasionally  inter- 
changed letters  with  him.  Though  her  former  sentiments 
and  associations  attracted  her  rather  to  Wesley,  White- 
field  entertained  a  high  opinion  of  her  piety  and  abilities  ; 
and  in  his  letters  speaks  of  her  in  very  flattering  terms. 
He  says,  "  She  shines  brighter  and  brighter  every  day, 
and  will  yet  I  trust  be  spared  for  a  nursing-mother  to  our 
Israel,"  and  he  prays  "  the  God  of  all  grace  to  keep  her 
steadfast  in  the  faith,  and  make  her  a  burning  and  a 
shining  light  in  our  British  Israel."  As  she  was  now 
able  to  sympathise  more  fully  with  the  sentiments  of 

*  The  wife  of  John  Edwin,  Esq.,  a  distinguished  M.  P.,  and  sister-in 
law  of  Lady  Charlotte  Edwin. 


ARRIVAL     OF     WIIITEFIELD.  91 

this  distinguished  man,  she  requested  Ilowell  Harris  to 
bring  him  to  her  house  at  Chelsea^  as  soon  as  he  came 
ashore.  Whitelield  preached  twice  in  her  drawing-rooms, 
and  shortly  after,  she  wrote  to  him  that  several  of  the 
nobility  desired  to  hear  him  at  her  house.  He  replied 
the  next  day,  August  21st, 

^'  I  have  received  your  Ladyship's  letter  last  night,  and 
write  this  to  inform  you  that  I  am  quite  willing  to  com- 
ply with  your  invitation.  As  I  am  to  preach,  God  will- 
ing, at  St.  Bartholomew's  on  Wednesday  evening,  I  will 
wait  upon  you  the  next  morning,  and  spend  the  whole 
day  at  Chelsea.  Blessed  be  God  that  the  rich  and  great 
begin  to  have  hearing  ears.  I  think  that  it  is  a  good 
sign  that  our  Lord  intends  to  give  to  some,  at  least,  an 
obedient  heart.  Surely  your  Ladyship  and  Madam 
Edwin  are  only  the  first  fruits.  May  you  increase  and 
multiply !  I  believe  you  will.  How  wonderfully  does 
our  Kedeemer  deal  with  souls.  If  they  will  hear  the 
Gospel  only  under  a  ceiled  roof,  ministers  shall  be  sent 
to  them  there.  If  only  in  a  church  or  a  field,  they  shall 
have  it  there." 

On  the  day  appointed,  a  distinguished  circle  of  the  no- 
bility assembled  to  hear  the  talented  preacher.  White- 
field  was  in  his  thirty -fourth  year,  and  though  somewhat 
care-worn  with  toil  and  exposure  to  the  weather,  was  a 
most  commanding  person.  His  stature  was  well  propor- 
tioned, his  manners  graceful,  his  features  regular  and  ex- 
pressive, his  countenance  exquisitely  sweet  and  placid. 
His  oratory  was  singularly  bold  and  engaging ;  his  small 
dark  blue  eyes  sparkled  with  the  animation  of  his  soul : 
and  his  marvellous  voice  possessed  such  melody  and 
compass,  that  it  could  either  drive  the  audience  into  the 
most  fearful  state  of  alarm,  or  thrill  it  with  feelings  of 
compassion,  gratitude,  or  love.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered 
at  that,  having  once  heard  him,  they  desired  to  hear  him 
again.     He  says,  ''On  Tuesday  I  preached  twice  at  Lady 


92  MEMOIK     OF     LADY     II  U  N  T  I  N  G  L)  O  X. 

ITuutiDgdon's  to  several  of  tlie  nobility.  In  the  morning 
tlie  Earl  of  Chesterfield  was  present ;  in  the  evening  Lord 
Bolingbroke.  All  behaved  quite  well,  and  were  in  some 
degree  affected.  Lord  Chesterfield  thanked  me,  and  said, 
'Sir,  I  will  not  tell  you  what  I  shall  tell  others,  how  I 
approve  of  you,'  or  words  to  this  purpose.  He  conversed 
with  me  freely  afterwards.  Lord  Bolingbroke  was  much 
moved,  and  desired  I  would  come  and  see  him  the  next 
morning.  I  did  ;  and  his  Lordship  behaved  with  great 
candour  and  frankness.  All  accepted  of  my  sermons,  and 
seemed  surprised  but  pleased." 

The  religious  sentiments  and  the  glowing  eloquence  of 
Whitefield  so  attracted  the  attention  of  Lady  LL untingdon, 
that  she  greatly  desired  to  secure  his  services,  and  offered 
him  the  honourable  office  of  chaplain  to  her  Ladyship. 
He  thus  replied,  September  1st,  to  her  letter,  in  which 
she  had  promised  him  her  scarf  and  her  patronage. 

''  Although  it  is  time  for  me  to  be  setting  out,  yet  I 
dare  not  leave  town  witbout  dropping  a  few  lines  grate- 
fully to  acknowledge  the  many  favours  I  have  received 
from  jour  Ladyship,  especially  the  honour  you  have 
done  me  in  making  me  one  of  your  Ladyship's  chaplains. 
A  sense  of  it  humbles  me,  and  makes  me  to  pray  more 
intensely  for  more  grace,  to  walk  more  worthy  of  that 
God  who  has  called  me  to  his  kingdom  and  glory.  As 
your  Ladyship  hath  been  pleased  to  confer  on  me  the 
honour  before  mentioned,  I  shall  think  it  my  duty  to 
send  you  weekly  accounts  of  what  the  Lord  Jesus  is 
pleased  to  do  for  and  by  me.  Glory  be  to  his  great  name, 
the  prospect  is  promising.  My  Lord  Bath  received  me 
yesterday  morning  very  cordially  and  would  give  me  five 
guineas  for  the  orphans,  though  I  refused  taking  anything 
for  the  books.  I  send  your  Ladyship  a  little  box  of  my 
sermons,  and  the  last  account  of  God's  dealing  with 
me.  *  *  *  I  hope  God  intends  to  honour  your  Ladyship 
in  making  you  instrumental  of  doing  good  to  the  nobility. 


WHITE  TIE  LD     APPOINTED     CKAPLAIN.     93 

His  providence,  liis  peculiar  providence  hatli  placed  your 
Ladyship  at  Chelsea.  I  am  persuaded  you  will  not  quit 
that  post;  till  he,  that  hath  placed  you  there,  plainly  gives 
you  a  dismission." 

His  appointment  to  the  chaplaincy,  and  his  preaching 
to  large  numbers  of  the  nobility  at  her  mansion,  increased 
the  popularity  of  Whitefield,  though  it  did  not  divert  him 
from  his  usual  sphere  of  labour.  He  never  flattered  the 
rich,  nor  succumbed  to  the  high ;  but  while  he  respected 
their  station,  and  honoured  them  with  their  appropriate 
titles,  he  faithfully  warned  them  of  their  danger,  and 
afiectionately  encouraged  their  souls.  Few  took  offence 
at  his  preaching ;  except  the  Bishop  of  London,  who 
commenced  proceedings  against  the  Eev.  Mr.  Bateman, 
for  permitting  him  to  preach  so  frequently  in  St.  Bartholo- 
mew's church.  In  September,  he  again  visited  Scotland 
where  great  multitudes  flocked  to  hear  him,  though  some 
of  the  clergy  attempted  in  the  Presbytery  to  exclude  him 
from  the  pulpit,  by  maligning  his  character.  He  was 
greatly  pleased  to  find  that  many  of  the  soldiers  lately 
returned  from  Flanders  were  pious  persons  ;  he  stimulated 
their  faith  and  love,  and  formed  them  into  a  little  society 
at  Edinburgh.  Some  of  these  devoted  soldiers  became 
known  to  Colonel  Gumly,  who  introduced  them  to  the 
notice  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  She  took  a  deep  interest  in 
their  welfare,  and  was  surprised  to  find  such  powerful 
faith  and  a  devotional  spirit  among  these  hardy  men. 

With  the  intention  of  giving  Whitefield  a  wider  field 
of  usefulness,  the  Countess  removed  from  Chelsea  to  town, 
and  opened  her  house  in  Park-Street  for  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel.  She  then,  and  for  many  years  after,  thought 
that,  as  a  peeress  of  the  realm,  she  had  an  indisputable 
right  to  employ  the  ministers  of  the  Church,  whom  she 
had  appointed  as  her  chaplains,  in  openly  proclaiming  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation.  Whitefield,  therefore,  having 
returned  from  Scotland,  commenced  his  ministry  at  her 


9i  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Ladyship's  residence  early  in  November,  and  continued 
to  preach  there  twice  a  week,  during  the  winter,  to  a 
large  circle  of  the  nobility.  In  his  letters,  dated  Novem- 
ber 10th,  he  says,  "  Good  Lady  Huntingdon  is  come  to 
town,  and  I  am  to  preach  at  her  Ladyship's  house  twice 
a  week  to  the  great  and  noble.  O  that  some  of  them 
may  be  effectually  called,  and  taste  of  the  riches  of  re- 
deeming love !  "  ''  About  thirty  have  desired  to  come,  and 
I  suppose  they  will  bring  thirty  more.  I  have  heard  of 
two  or  three  more  dear  Christians  among  the  great  ones. 
I  know  you  will  pray  the  Lord  of  all  lords  to  increase 
their  number.  Her  Ladyship  hath  a  great  regard  for  all 
those  in  Scotland,  who  stand  up  for  vital  religion.  She 
intends  to  send  you  down  the  picture  of  poor  Aaron,  the 
late  negro  preacher." 

Many  of  the  highly  distinguished  nobility  were  brought 
to  hear  the  truth  through  the  influence  of  Lady  Hunting- 
don. The  Earl  of  Chesterfield,  Lord  Bolingbroke,  Lord 
Bath,  Lady  Townshend,  Lady  Thanet,  and  many  of  those 
attached  to  the  Prince  of  Wales'  court,  constantly  attended 
the  ministry  of  Whitefield.  Lady  Eockingham,  a  woman 
of  very  superior  talents  and  accomplishments,  and  cousin 
to  Lady  Huntingdon,  was  often  present  at  these  drawing- 
room  services,  accompanied  by  her  daughter  Lady  Mon- 
son.  She  possessed  an  extensive  acquaintance,  and  ex- 
erted great  influence  at  court ;  and  she  embraced  every 
opportunity  of  recommending  religion  to  the  serious 
attention  of  the  great.  Lord  Bolingbroke  was  so  deeply 
impressed  with  Whitefi eld's  appeals,  that  he  once  said  to 
the  Countess,  ''You  may  command  my  pen  when  you 
will ;  it  shall  be  drawn  in  your  service : — for  admitting 
the  Bible  to  be  true,  I  shall  have  little  apprehension  of 
maintaining  the  doctrines  of  predestination  and  grace, 
against  all  your  revilers."  He  had  a  high  opinion  of 
Whitefield,  and  says  of  him,  "  He  is  the  most  extraordi- 
nary man  in  our  times.     He  has  the  most  commanding 


LORD     BOLINGBROKE.  95 

eloquence  I  ever  heard  in  any  person ;  his  abilities  are 
very  considerable  ;  his  zeal  unquenchable  ;  and  his  piety 
and  excellence  genuine — unquestionable."  His  family 
was  on  terms  of  great  intimacy  with  Lady  Huntingdon  ; 
and  his  brother  Lord  St.  John  was  frequently  at  her  resi- 
dence^  and  derived  much  good  from  the  sermons  of  her 
chaplain.  A  few  months  after,  he  was  taken  suddenly 
ill ;  and  his  Lady  wrote  in  great  alarm  to  the  Countess 
to  send  to  him  some  pious  clergyman,  as  he  wished  to 
receive  the  sacrament  before  his  death,  which  was  then 
hourly  expected.  Mr.  Bateman  was  with  her  Ladyship 
when  the  letter  came ;  and  he  immediately  hurried  to  the 
bed  of  the  dying  man.  His  Lordship  grasped'  his  hand, 
and  expressed  how  much  he  was  indebted  to  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon and  Whitefield  for  the  peace  he  enjoyed.  The 
holy  minister  read  and  prayed  with  him  ;  conversed  about 
spiritual  affairs ;  and  at  the  request  of  Lady  St.  John, 
remained  watching  the  departure  of  the  spirit.  ILis  Lord- 
shij)  said  that  all  his  hope  was  on  Christ ;  and  then  gently 
j)assed  away,  while  Mr.  Bateman  was  engaged  in  prayer 
on  his  behalf.  Lord  Bolingbroke  felt  the  decease  of  his 
brother  very  keenly,  and  was  much  impressed  with  his 
language  in  his  last  moments.  Many  were  the  fevent 
prayers  which  the  Countess  offered  for  his  conversion. 
In  a  letter  to  Whitefield  she  says,  '^  0  that  the  obdurate 
heart  of  this  desperate  infidel  may  yet  be  shook  to  its 
very  centre ;  may  his  eyes  be  opened  by  the  illuminating 
influence  of  Divine  truth ;  and  may  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
be  revealed  to  his  heart  as  the  hope  of  glory  and  immor- 
tal bliss  hereafter !  I  tremble  for  his  destiny  ;  he  is  a 
singularly  awful  character ;  and  I  am  fearfully  alarmed 
lest  that  Gospel,  which  he  so  heartily  despises,  yet  affects 
to  revcj^ence,  should  prove  eventually  the  savour  of  death 
unto  death  to  his  immortal  soul." 

Some  of  the  nobility,  however,  were  highly  incensed 
at  the  conduct  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  the  preaching 


96  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

of  Whitefield.  The  celebrated  Countess  of  Suffolk  had 
been  prevailed  upon  by  Lady  Eockingham  to  visit  her, 
and  hear  her  popular  chaplain.  He  was  not  aAvare  of 
her  presence ;  but  the  truth  preached  was  so  peculiarly 
adapted  to  her  circumstances;  that  it  seemed  as  if  pointed- 
ly addressed  to  her.  She  managed  to  sit  quiet  until  the 
service  was  concluded ;  and  AYhitefield  had  scarcely  re- 
tired, before  she  flew  into  a  violent  passion,  abused  Lady 
Huntingdon  to  her  face,  and  denounced  the  sermon  as  a 
deliberate  attack  upon  herself.  In  vain  her  sister-in-law 
Lady  Betty  Grermain  tried  to  appease  the  beautiful  fury, 
and  to  explain  the  mistake ; — in  vain  her  relatives.  Lady 
Eleanor  Bertie,  and  the  Duchess  Dowager  of  Ancaster, 
commanded  her  silence; — she  still  maintained  that  she 
had  been  insulted.  She  was,  however,  compelled  to  apolo- 
gize to  the  Countess,  which  she  did  with  a  very  bad 
grace,  and  then  turned  away  with  the  bitter  feelings  oi 
wounded  pride.  Lord  Chesterfield  paid  such  marked  a,t- 
tention  to  this  Lady  Suffolk,  that  he  offended  the  Queen 
and  was  dismissed  from  his  office  of  Lord  High  Steward. 
Lady  Huntingdon  deeply  regretted  the  course  he  had 
adopted,  and  used  every  exertion  to  induce  him  to  follow 
a  better  line  of  policy.  She  faithfully  pointed  to  him  the 
error  of  his  ways ;  and  he  received  her  admonitions  with 
such  patient  attention,  that  she  cherished  the  hope  that 
he,  with  Lord  Bolingbroke,  would  at  length  be  brought 
to  the  feet  of  Jesus. 

It  was  pleasing  to  trace  how  widely  the  influence  of 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  extending,  and  how  much  real 
good  was  effected  by  the  services  held  at  her  house.  She 
became  acquainted  with  some  of  the  pious  Scotch  nobility, 
who  had  been  converted  by  the  labours  of  Whitefield  in 
their  own  land,  and  who  came  to  London  to  attend  to 
their  parliamentary  duties.  They  often  visited  at  her 
Ladyship's  mansion,  and  prevailed  upon  many  among 
their  acquaintance  to  accompany  them.     Never,  however, 


PRAYER     MEETINGS.  97 

will  it  be  fully  seen,  till  the  last  day,  how  extensively  the 
power  of  the  piety  of  the  Countess  was  felt  among  all 
ranks.  The  most  remarkable  circumstance  in  these 
dark  and  profligate  times,  was  the  establishment  by  several 
ladies  among  the  nobility,  of  a  meeting  for  prayer  and 
reading  the  Scriptures,  which  was  held  alternately  at 
each  other's  houses.  It  continued  to  be  well  attended 
and  very  useful  for  many  years.  They  stimulated  each 
other's  faith,  animated  each  other's  zeal,  and  allured  each 
other  to  higher  attainments  in  divine  grace.  They  set 
an  example  to  a  gay  and  frivolous  nobility,  which  com- 
manded respect,  even  where  it  did  not  produce  any  greater 
result.  Lady  Huntingdon  watched  the  progress  of  these 
events  with  great  satisfaction  ;  and  in  her  letters,  gives  a 
most  flattering  prospect  of  the  success  of  the  gospel. 
*'Eeligion,"  she  says,  ^'was  never,  I  believe,  so  much  the 
subject  of  conversation  as  now."  The  great  and  the  noble 
flocked  in  large  parties  to  hear  Whitefield,  at  her  resi- 
dence ;  and  were  charmed  with  his  eloquence,  and  im- 
pressed with  the  truth.  Many  were  induced  to  seek  the 
Lord ;  honourable  women  owned  the  power  and  purity 
of  the  gospel ;  the  mansions  of  the  rich  resounded  with 
the  praises  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  the  company,  invited  to 
their  houses,  spent  the  time,  which  had  formerly  been  de- 
voted to  feasting  or  pleasure,  in  singing  and  praying,  and 
reading  the  Scriptures.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  more 
than  a  mother  to  the  new  converts.  She  watched  over 
them  with  an  observant  eye,  instructed  them  in  the  truth, 
consoled  them  in  their  trials,  and  cheered  them  to  perse- 
vere in  their  work  by  her  frequent  epistles. 

While  the  Countess  was  thus  promoting  the  spiritual 
interests  of  the  rich,  she  was  not  unmindful  of  the  claims 
of  the  poor  around  her.  On  the  Sabbath  days,  her  draw- 
ing-rooms were  crowded  by  brilliant  assemblies  to  hear 
the  word  of  life ;  and  on  the  week-days,  her  kitchen  wa;^ 
tilled  with  the  poor,  whose  wants  she  relieved,   and  to 


98  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

whom  the  gospel  was  simply  proclaimed.  Like  her 
gifted  chaplain,  she  was  equally  adapted  to  converse  with 
the  most  polished  society  in  the  saloon,  and  to  secure  the 
attention  of  the  poor  by  her  piety  and  love.  Whitefield 
had  his  trophies  among  the  highest  and  the  lowest.  It 
is  said  that  Lady  Huntingdon  once  invited  some  ladies  to 
hear  him  preach,  who  had  never  heard  him  before.  They 
attended  the  place  where  he  was  preaching  on  the  Lord's 
day  evening;  and  the  next  morning  called  on  her  Lady- 
ship. She  inquired  if  they  had  heard  him,  and  they  re- 
plied, "  0  my  Lady,  he  is  the  most  strange  and  unac- 
countable preacher  we  ever  heard.  Among  other  pre- 
posterous things,  he  declared  that  Jesus  Christ  was  so 
willing  to  receive  sinners,  that  he  did  not  object  to  re- 
ceive even  the  deviVs  castaways  !  Now,  my  Lady,  did  you 
ever  hear  of  such  a  thing  since  you  were  born  ?"  The 
Countess  replied  that  it  certainly  appeared  rather  singu- 
lar, but  as  Mr.  Whitefield  was  in  the  parlour,  she  would 
call  him,  and  let  him  answer  for  himself.  On  his  enter- 
ing the  room,  she  informed  him  of  the  charge  the  ladies 
had  brought  against  him.  Her  chaplain  replied,  '^  I  cer- 
tainly must  plead  guilty  of  the  charge ;  whether  I  did 
what  was  right  or  otherwise,  your  Ladyship  shall  judge 
from  the  following  circumstance : — Did  your  Ladyship 
notice,  about  half  an  hour  ago,  a  very  modest  single  rap 
at  the  door  ?  It  was  given  by  a  poor,  miserable-looking, 
aged  female,  who  requested  to  speak  Avith  me.  I  desired 
her  to  be  shown  into  the  parlour,  when  she  thus  accosted 
me: — 'I  believe  Sir,  you  preached  last  evening  at  such 
a  chapel?'  'Yes,  I  did.'  ^  Ah,  Sir,  I  was  accidentally 
passing  the  door  of  that  chapel,  and  hearing  the  voice  of 
some  one  preaching,  I  did  what  I  have  never  been  in  the 
habit  of  doing — I  went  in  ;  and  one  of  the  first  things  I 
heard  you  say  was,  that  Jesus  Christ  was  so  willing  to 
receive  sinners,  that  he  did  not  object  to  receiving  the 
devil's  castaways.     Now  Sir,  I  have  been  a  great  sinner 


THE    devil's    castaways.  99 

for  many  years,  and  am  so  worn  out  in  bis  service  that 
I  think  I  may  with  truth  be  called  one  of  the  devil's 
castaways.  Do  you  think,  Sir,  that  Jesus  Christ  would 
receive  me  ?  '  I  assured  her  there  was  not  a  doubt  of  it, 
if  she  was  but  willing  to  go  to  him."  The  ladies  eagerly 
listened  ;  and  relinquished  their  charges. 

It  afterwards  appeared  that  this  poor  soul  was  savingly 
converted  ;  and  Lady  Huntingdon  Avas  informed,  on  good 
authority,  that  she  departed  this  life,  rejoicing  in  the 
glorious  declaration  that,  "the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
cleanseth  from  all  sin."  How  many  of  the  poor  and  of 
the  rich  are  now  praising  the  sovereign  grace  of  God, 
Avhich  raised  up  such  mighty  instruments  to  scatter  the 
darkness  which  had  fallen  on  the  land ;  to  snatch  them 
from  the  paths  of  sin,  whether  in  high  or  low  life ;  and  to 
introduce  them  to  the  blessings  of  salvation.  "Let  him 
know  that  he  which  converteth  the  sinner  from  the  error 
of  his  ways,  shall  save  a  soul  from  death,  and  shall  hide 
a  multitude  of  sins." 


100  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     UUNTINGDON 


CHAPTER  VI.   A.  D.  1748—1750. 

THE  PROTECTOR  OF  THE  PERSECUTED. — BISHOP  OF  EXETER. 
— WELSH  PERSECUTION. — CATHOLICITY  OF  LADY  HUX- 
TINGDOX. — HER  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. — THE  COUNTESS  AT 
BRISTOL. — THE  GOAL  PRISONERS. — THE  TABERNACLE. — 
EARL  OF  HUNTINGDON. — IRISH  PERSECUTION. — ASHBY  : 
— EFFORTS  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON  THERE. — THE  COUNT- 
ESS DELITZ. — LADY  HOTHAM. — LADY  FANNY  SHIRLEY. 
A  LEADER  WANTED. — UNION  OF  WESLEY  AND  WHITE- 
FIELD. — MR.    THOMPSON. — EARTHQUAKE   IN    LONDON. 

Lady  Huntingdon  had  now  fully  started  on  Tier  hon- 
ourable and  useful  career.  Every  year  her  labours 
became  more  extended,  and  her  self-denying  efforts  more 
multii3lied,  till  she  entered  into  her  rest.  Her  soul  was 
filled  with  love  to  Christ,  and  sympathy  towards  a  sinful 
world.  She  thoroughly  comprehended  the  position  in 
which  Providence  had  placed  her ;  and  with  great  clearness 
of  perception,  and  confidence,  she  pressed  all  her  talents, 
influence,  and  wealth  into  her  service,  to  diffuse  the 
knowleds^e  of  Christ.  She  heeded  not  the  sarcasms  or 
witticisms  of  the  gay,  nor  the  stern  opposition  of  the 
world.  The  anathema  of  worldly-minded  priests  fell 
powerless  upon  her  ;  the  fear  of  man  was  unknown  to  her 
courageous  breast;  and  she  could  dare  the  spirit  of 
persecution  to  do  its  utmost  to  those  who  were  animated 
with  like  precious  faith.  She  cast  the  shield  of  protection 
around  her  OAvn  ministers ;  the  cry  of  the  oppressed,  when 
re-echoed  from  her  own  heart,  obtained  relief  from  the 
highest  authorities ;  and  when  she  journeyed  through  the 


THE     BISHOP     OF     EXETEE.  101 

country,  her  very  name  was  sufficient  to  strike  terror  into 
the  enemies  of  the  cross,  and  to  attract  thousands  to  see 
the  illustrious  lady. 

Iler  Ladyship  was  very  jealous  of  the  reputation  of 
her  chaplain,  and  took  stringent  measures  to  vindicate 
him  from  certain  accusations  which  Lavington,  Bishop 
of  Exeter,  made  against  Whitefield  and  Wesley.  He 
delivered  a  charge  to  his  clergy ;  and  a  printer  soon  after 
circulated  a  pamphlet  as  the  address  of  the  Bishop,  which 
contained  a  statement  of  doctrines,  that  caused  him  to  be 
stigmatized  as  a  Methodist.  The  angry  prelate  published 
a  declaration,  accusing  the  Methodist  leaders  of  the  fraud, 
and  loading  them  with  calumny  and  reproach.  The 
character  of  Whitefield  was  thoroughly  vindicated  by  a 
friend  of  the  Bishop ;  who,  however,  had  not  the  candour 
to  acquit  him  of  the  malignant  charges  he  had  preferred. 
Lady  Huntingdon  wrote  to  his  Lordship,  and  demanded 
a  candid  and  honourable  renunciation  of  the  aspersions 
cast  upon  her  chaplain ;  and  in  her  letter  she  enclosed  an 
acknowledgment  on  the  part  of  the  printer,  that  he 
received  the  manuscript  from  one  entirely  unconnected 
with  the  Methodists,  and  that  he  alone  was  responsible 
for  the  publication.  The  Bishop  took  no  notice  of  her 
communication ;  which  drew  from  her  Ladyship  a  spirited 
letter,  stating  that,  unless  he  withdrew  his  charge  against 
Whitefield  and  Wesley,  she  was  determined  to  make  the 
whole  transaction  public.  This  had  the  desired  effect; 
for  on  the  next  day,  he  sent  to  her  a  recantation  of  the 
charges  made  against  them,  and  expressed  his  regret  at 
having  unjustly  wounded  their  feelings,  and  exposed 
them  to  the  odium  of  the  w^orld.  Her  Ladyship  was 
well  aware  of  the  crafty  character  of  her  opponent,  and 
published  this  concession  in  the  leading  journals  of  the 
day.  The  Bishop  thought  that  she  would  have  been 
satisfied  with  the  mere  private  communication,  and  that 
his  public  denunciation  of  the  Methodists  would  still  be 


102         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     II  U  X  T  I  X  G  D  O  N  . 

intact;  and  his  indignation  scarcely  knew  any  bounds 
wlien  he  read  his  humiliation  in  print.  The  Countess 
had  no  other  end  to  serve  but  the  interests  of  religion ; 
and  she  thus  jDroolaimed  to  the  world,  that  she  would 
never  suffer  injustice  and  oppression  to  trample  down  the 
zealous  ministers  of  Christ. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  greatly  pained  when  she  heard 
of  the  persecution  which  many  of  the  Welsh  magistrates 
inflicted  on  the  Methodists.  Howell  Harris  was  doing  a 
very  great  work  in  the  principality.  He  says  in  one  of 
his  letters, 

''  It  is  now  about  nine  weeks  since  I  be^-an  to  s-o  round 
South  and  North  Wales,  and  this  week  I  returned  home. 
I  have  visited,  in  that  time,  thirteen  counties,  travelled 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  every  week,  and  dis- 
coursed twice  a  day,  occasionally  three  or  four  times.  In 
this  last  journey  I  have  not  taken  off  my  clothes  for  seven 
nights  together,  being  obliged  to  meet  the  people,  and 
discourse  at  midnight,  or  very  early  in  the  morning,  to 
avoid  persecution.  One  man,  near  Wrexham,  the  week 
before  I  went  thither,  was  obliged  to  pay  twenty  shillings 
to  Sir  W.  W.  Wynn,  several  of  the  hearers  five  shillings  ; 
and  one  of  them,  who  had  paid  that  sum  before,  was  now 
fined  ten  shillings.  This  is  the  third  time  the  poor  people 
have  been  so  served  in  that  neighbourhood  for  assembling 
together.  Near  the  town  of  Bala,  were  I  was  formerly 
like  to  be  murdered,  I  had  a  severe  blow  on  my  head, 
but  received  no  hurt.  I  never  saw  such  crowds  coming 
to  hear  ;  many  hearts  and  doors  have  been  opened  lately ; 
\ve  know  of  several  who  had  been  awakened ;  and  many 
speak  with  delight   in   coming  to  hear  Mr.   Whitefield 


The  gentlemen  hunted  these  poor  Christians  like 
partridges,  but  Sir  W.  W.  Wynn  was  intolerably  bitter 
against  them.     As  soon   as   Lady  Huntingdon   was   ac- 


WIIITEFIELD     IN     LONDON.  103 

quainted  with  tlie  sufferings  of  her  Welsh  friends,  she 
immediately  laid  the  particulars  before  the  government. 
The  matter  was  investigated ;  and  to  the  great  chagrin  of 
Sir  W.  TV.  "Wynn  and  his  coadjutors,  the  different  sums, 
which  had  been  exacted  from  the  Methodists,  were  ordered 
to  be  returned.  He  vowed  to  execute  vengeance  upon 
ever  J  member  of  the  society  in.  Denbighshire  ;  but  before 
many  months  had  passed,  he  was  summoned  to  the  future 
world,  by  the  effects  of  a  fall  from  his  horse  !  The  pro- 
tection and  influence  of  the  Countess  formed  an  invalua- 
ble aid  to  the  various  ministers  who  were  promoting  the 
revival  of  religion,  and  was  gratefully  remembered  by 
all  who  enjoyed  its  benefits. 

Early  in  December  17-i8,  Whitefield  made  an  excursion 
to  Gloucester  and  Bristol,  where  he  preached  to  very 
great  multitudes.  He  proposed  to  extend  his  tour  into 
Cornwall;  but  a  letter  from  Lady  Huntingdon  summoned 
him  immediately  to  London.  He  remained  in  the  metro- 
polis about  six  weeks,  preaching  regularly  to  crowded  and 
brilliant  assemblies  at  her  Ladyship's  mansion,  and  wher- 
ever else  he  had  an  opportunity.  His  letters,  written 
during  this  period,  are  full  of  references  to  the  good  he 
was  effecting  among  the  great.  Thus  to  Dr.  Doddridge, 
to  whom  he  had  submitted  his  journals  for  correction, 
before  reprinting  them,  he  writes,  '' Blessed  be  God,  the 
prospect  is  promising.  Last  Sunday  evening  I  preached 
to  a  most  brilliant  assembly  indeed  ;  they  expressed  great 
approbation,  and  some,  I  think,  begin  to  feel.  Good 
Lady  Huntingdon  is  indeed  a  mother  in  Israel ;  she  is  all 
in  a  flame  for  Jesus."  To  Howell  Harris  he  writes,  "  I 
am  now  waiting  for  Lord  Bolingbroke  and  others,  who 
are  coming  to  hear  the  glorious  gospel.  Lord  Lothian  is 
in  town.  Our  good  Lady  is  going  on,  and  every  day 
increasing  her  reward  in  heaven."  To  Mr.  Hervey,  he 
says,  ''  You  will  not  be  oflbnded  if  I  tell  you,  that  good 
Lady  Huntingdon  saw  your  letter  ;  she  was  much  pleased 


10-i         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

with  it,  and  has  a  great  regard  for  you.  She  goes  on 
from  strength  to  strength  ;  the  prospect  of  doing  good  to 
the  rich  that  attended  her  house  is  very  encouraging.  I 
preach  twice  a  week,  and  yesterday  Lord  Bolingbroke 
was  one  of  my  auditors  ;  he  was  pleased  to  express  very 
great  satisfaction.  AYho  knows  what  God  may  do  ?  He 
can  never  work  by  a  meaner  instrument." 

These  laborious  efforts  in  town  greatly  impaired  his 
health :  and  feeling  assured  that  travelling  and  preaching 
in  the  country  would  be  beneficial  to  him  he  left  London 
in  February  174:9,  and  made  an  excursion  to  Exeter  and 
Plymouth.  He  was  greatly  benefitted  by  the  change,  and 
often  wrote  to  her,  and  to  some  of  those  noble  hearers 
who  had  been  impressed  with  the  truth.  During  his 
absence,  Lady  Huntingdon  invited  John  Wesley  to  preach 
at  her  house ;  which  he  did  twice  a  week,  with  the 
occasional  assistance  of  his  brother,  Mr.  Bateman,  and  a 
few  others,  until  Whitefield  returned  to  the  metropolis. 
Her  catholicity  of  mind  encouraged  ministers  of  Christ, 
of  all  names,  to  seek  her  society  ;  and  no  one  rejoiced 
more  than  her  chaplain,  when  she  welcomed  Dr.  Gifford, 
minister  of  the  Baptist  Chapel  in  Eagle-Street,  and  Dr. 
Gibbons  to  her  house.  Whitefield,  however,  was  the 
decided  favourite  with  the  assemblies  at  her  residence ; 
and  the  time  was  anticipated  with  much  pleasure,  when 
he  would  return. 

In  March  1749,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon was  appointed  lady  of  the  bedchamber  to  the 
Princesses  Amelia  and  Caroline,  sisters  to  George  TIL, 
in  the  room  of  Lady  Anne  Montague,  who  resigned. 
She  was  then  in  her  eighteenth  year,  and  was  much 
admired  at  court  for  her  elegant  manners,  her  vivacity, 
and  great  abilities.  Horace  AValpole,  afterwards  Lord 
Orford,  says,  ''The  Queen  of  the  Methodists  got  her 
daughter  named  for  lady  of  the  bedchamber  to  the 
Princesses ;  but  it  is  all  off  again,  as  she  will  not  let  her 


PORTSMOUTH     TABERNACLE.  105 

play  at  cards  on  Sundays."  Wliether  tliis  be  the  real 
cause  or  not,  it  is  certain  tliat  she  retained  tire  appoint- 
ment only  a  few  montliS;  and  was  succeeded  by  a  daugh- 
ter of  Earl  Gower. 

The  Countess  intended  to  have  met  Whitefield  at 
Bristol,  where  his  brother  requested  to  have  the  honour 
of  receiving  her  at  his  residence ;  but  a  very  serious 
indisposition  prevented  her.  She  had  at  this  time  a 
house  in  North  Audley-Street,  where  Whitefield,  when 
in  town,  preached  on  Thursday  evenings  to  crowded 
audiences,  chiefiy  of  the  nobility.  In  the  month  of  May 
this  devoted  minister  visited  Portsmouth,  where  his 
ministry  was  made  so  very  useful,  that  a  small  tabernacle 
was  afterwards  erected,  which,  under  the  fostering  care  of 
many  devoted  ministers,  has  grown  into  the  spacious  and 
handsome  edifice  now  existing  in  that  important  town. 
Continued  indisposition  detained  Lady  Huntingdon  in 
London  till  the  beginning  of  June,  when  she  repaired  to 
Bristol,  and  took  up  her  residence,  for  a  time,  at  the 
house  of  Whitefield's  brother.  Her  chaplain  was  itinera- 
ting through  Wales,  and  returned  to  Bristol,  June  23rd. 
In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Hervey,  he  says, 

''  Yesterday  God  brought  me  here,  after  having  carried 
me  a  circuit  of  about  eight  hundred  miles,  and  enabled 
me  to  preach  I  suppose,  to  upwards  of  a  hundred  thou- 
sand souls.  I  have  been  in  eight  Welsh  counties,  and  I 
think  we  have  not  had  one  dry  meeting.  The  work  in 
AVales  is  much  upon  the  advance,  and  likely  to  increase 
daily.  Had  my  dear  Mr.  Hervey  been  there  to  have  seen 
the  simplicity  of  so  many  dear  souls,  I  am  persuaded  lie 
would  have  said,  Sit  anima  mea  cum  MetJiodistis  !  But 
every  one  to  his  part.  ^  *  *  Good  Lady  Huntingdon  is 
here,  and  goes  on  in  her  usual  way,  doing  good.  She  is 
recovered  from  her  indisposition." 

With  recruited  health,  the  Countess  recommenced  her 


106        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTIXGDOX. 

active  endeavours  to  extend  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
She  devised  many  plans  for  benefiting  tlie  poor  around 
her ;  and  in  coDJunction  with  the  Ladies'  Hastings,  who 
now  joined  her  at  Clifton,  she  visited  the  prisoners  who 
were  cast  into  goal  for  debt.  She  enlisted  the  sympathies 
of  some  ladies  of  rank,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  libera- 
ting many  miserable  individuals,  Avhose  debts  were  under 
ten  pounds.  Some  she  restored  to  their  disconsolate 
families,  and  others  she  enabled,  through  her  liberality, 
to  pursue  their  usual  employments.  She  was  also  unre- 
mitting in  her  exertions  to  bring  the  sound  of  mercy  into 
the  wretched  hovels  which  crowded  the  water-side.  The 
preaching  of  Whitefield  had  attracted  such  crowds,  and 
awakened  so  many  to  care  for  the  soul,  that  a  large  com- 
modious place  of  worship  was  much  needed  in  Bristol. 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  ever  ready  to  assist  him  in  his 
efforts  ;  she  entered  warmly  into  the  proposal  to  erect  a 
Tabernacle  in  the  city ;  and  used  her  influence  Avith  her 
acquaintance  in  high  rank  to  obtain  contributions  towards 
the  object.  She  wrote  to  Lords  Chesterfield,  Bolingbroke, 
and  Bath ;  and  they  replied  to  her  solicitations  wdth 
liberal  donations,  and  expressed  their  delight  at  the  suc- 
cess which  was  following  the  labours  of  her  honoured 
chaplain. 

As  the  young  Earl  of  Huntingdon  was  approaching 
his  majority,  the  Countess  made  great  preparations  to 
resign  to  him  Donnington  Park.  She  left  Clifton  early 
in  the  month  of  August,  and  proceeded  to  Ashby-de-la- 
Zouch,  where  she  took  a  large  house,  and  resided  with 
her  other  children  and  the  Ladies'  Hastings.  In  a  letter 
to  the  Rev.  R.  Darracott,  she  says, 

''  The  affairs  of  my  family  called  me  from  home,  but 
I  am  again  brought  back  in  safety,  and  much  happiness 
of  heart,  and  that  to  a  sweet  little  family,  who  live  but  to 
devote  every  hour  more  and  more  to  the  love  and  know- 
ledge of  the  Lord  Jesus.     We  had  agreed  upon  this  re- 


THE     EARL     OF     IIUXTINGDOX.  107 

treat,  and  taken  a  larger  house  among  ns  for  this  purpose, 
and  we  wish  all  your  prayers.  To  become  the  Lord's  in 
body,  soul,  and  spirit  is  the  one  cry  and  desire  of  our 
hearts ;  and  we  know  he  will  not  reject  us,  nor  cast  us 
out ;  and  though  we  can  do  nothing,  yet  we  can  receive 
of  his  fulness  grace  for  grace ;  and  in  this  world  suffer 
reproach  and  persecution  for  his  name's  sake,  which  is 
sweet  and  honourable  to  us;  when,  though  we  can  do 
nothing,  we  glory  in  this,  that,  to  his  praise,  he  hath  re- 
deemed, and  will  make  us  priests  unto  God.  We  should 
rejoice  to  see  you  amongst  us ;  and  I  hope  nothing  will 
prevent  it,  if  convenient  to  you.  All  gospel  ministers  it 
is  our  highest  honour  and  happiness  to  serve,  and  no 
denomination  do  we  ever  reject." 

When  the  young  Earl  became  of  age,  he  took  possession 
of  the  ancestral  mansions,  Donnington  Park,  Ledstone 
Hall,  &c. ;  and  soon  after  set  out  on  his  travels  through 
France,  Italy,  and  Germany.  Lord  Chesterfield  took  a 
deep  interest  in  his  welfare,  and  introduced  him  to  the 
most  distinguished  continental  society.  In  a  letter  to  a 
lady,  in  whose  society  he  wished  to  place  him,  he  says, 
''  He  is  the  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  one  of  the  first  peers  of 
England,  whose  family  is  celebrated  in  the  most  ancient 
records.  His  merits  and  talents  are  at  least  equal  to  his 
descent ;  he  is  distinguished  from  all  our  young  nobility 
by  his  personal  erudition  ;  in  short,  he  wants  nothing  to 
make  him  perfect,  but  what  he  will  acquire  with  you 
better  than  anywhere  else  ; — -I  mean  an  acquaintance  with 
the  polite  world.  I  will  venture  to  add  one  merit  more, 
which  I  flatter  myself  he  will  have  in  your  opinion, 
which  is  that  of  being  my  particular  friend.  He  looks 
upon  me  as  his  father,  and  I  consider  him  my  adopted 
son."  His  mother,  however,  well  knew  that  what  he 
most  wanted  was  the  grace  of  God  to  change  his  heart. 
How  fervently  did  she  wrestle  with  Heaven  on  his  behalf! 
how  solemnly,  yet  how  affectionately,  did  she    instruct 


108         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDOX. 

warn,  and  beseecli  liini  to  make  tlie  Lord  liis  choice!  Her 
greatest  grief  was  occasioned  by  tlie  sceptical  tenets  which 
the  young  man  imbibed  from  his  gay  and  fashionable 
companions.  He,  however,  always  treated  her  with  that 
reverence  and  love  which  such  a  kind  and  devoted 
mother  deserved. 

It  was  about  this  period  that  her  Ladyship's  attention 
was  first  directed  to  Ireland.  That  unhappy  country  was 
in  a  most  deplorable  condition.  Popery  was  every  where 
rampant,  and  the  people  were  crushed  down  by  the  heavy 
rule  of  an  intolerant  priesthood.  The  Protestants  were 
few  in  number,  and,  for  the  most  part,  destitute  of  a  liv- 
ing piety ;  though  here  and  there  a  devoted  minister  ap- 
peared, like  an  oasis  in  a  desert,  to  relieve  the  dreary 
aspect.  On  Whitefield's  return  from  his  first  voyage  to 
America,  the  vessel  was  so  shattered  with  storms,  that 
they  made  for  the  port  of  Limerick,  where  he  landed, 
and  preached  in  the  cathedral.  The  Bishop,  Dr.  Burs- 
cough,  received  him  with  the  utmost  cordiality  and  kind- 
ness ;  and  in  Dublin,  the  Bishop  of  Derry,  and  the  Lord 
Primate  of  Ireland  invited  him  to  their  houses,  and 
engaged  him  to  preach.  The  successful  labours  of  Mr. 
Williams,  an  itinerant  Methodist,  induced  John  Wesley, 
to  visit  Dublin  in  1748  ;  where  he  formed  a  small  society, 
and  preached  to  great  crowds.  His  brother  Charles,  ac- 
companied by  several  preachers,  succeeded  him,  and 
laboured  for  a  considerable  time  in  Ireland.  At  Cork,  a 
most  violent  persecution  was  raised  against  them ;  the 
magistrates  refused  to  grant  them  protection  ;  and  the 
grand  jury  returned  this  singular  verdict; — ''We  find 
and  present  Charles  Wesley  to  be  a  person  of  ill-fame,  a 
vagabond,  and  a  common  disturber  of  his  Majesty's  peace ; 
and  we  pray  that  he  may  be  transported ! " 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  deeply  concerned  for  the  spread 
of  the  gospel  in  Ireland.  The  country  had  a  claim  upon 
her  sympathies.     Her  grandfather  was  a  Baronet  of  that 


PERSECUTION     IN     IRELAND.  109 

Idngxlom,  and  lier  mother  was  an  Irish  Laclj ;  many  of 
her  relatives  were  nati^^  es  and  residents  there ;  and  her 
daughter  was  betrothed  to  an  Irish  lord.  A  statement 
of  these  persecutions  was,  therefore,  forwarded  to  her ; 
and  she  immediately  requested  Whitefield  to  wait  on  the 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons,  in  her  name,  and  de- 
mand redress.  Dr.  Gifford,  the  friend  of  Sir  Arthur 
Onslow,  introduced  him,  and  opened  the  business.  The 
Speaker  expressed  his  great  regard  for  her  Ladyship,  and 
indignation  at  the  sufferings  of  the  Methodists;  but  said 
that  Lord  Harrington,  the  Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  or  the 
Secretary  of  State,  were  the  most  proper  persons  to  apply 
to,  and  he  did  not  doubt  but  that,  through  her  application, 
the  grievances  would  be  redressed,  A  well  attested  narra- 
tive of  the  whole  affair  was  forwarded  to  Lord  Harrino:- 
ton ;  a  memorial  was  presented  to  the  King  by  Lady 
Chesterfield,  at  the  request  of  the  Countess  ;  and  the 
Duke  of  Newcastle,  then  Secretary  of  State,  was  spoken 
to.  These  attempts  were  successful ;  and  many  blessed 
God  that  it  was  in  the  power  of  her  Ladyship  to  help  the 
poor  sufferers  of  Cork. 

As  soon  as  Lady  Huntingdon  had  taken  up  her  resi- 
dence at  Ashby,  she  commenced  her  labours  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  poor  around  her.  She  devised  many  plans  to 
promote  their  temporal  comfort,  and  was  very  zealous  to 
impart  to  them  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  Assisted 
by  her  domestic  chaplain,  Mr.  Baddelley,  of  whose  piety 
and  ftiithfulness  she  had  a  high  opinion,  and  the  Ladies' 
Hastings,  she  instructed  the  children,  and  visited  the 
cottages  of  the  poor ;  and  spoke  affectionately  to  them 
of  the  important  truths  of  the  gospel.  The  kindness  of 
manner,  and  the  simplicity  of  her  faith,  enabled  her  to 
present  the  truth  in  a  way  calculated  to  reach  the  under- 
standing and  heart  of  the  illiterate ;  and  though  often 
discouraged  by  the  indifference  of  her  hearers,  she  per- 
severed, and  at  length  witnessed  the  fruit  of  her  labours. 

10 


110  MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

She  set  plainly  before  tliem  the  depravity  of  tlieir  hearts, 
and  guilt  they  had  contracted  by  their  sins,  the  divine 
punishment  which  threatened  them,  the  mercy  God  has 
displayed  in  the  gift  of  his  Son,  and  the  all-sufficiency  of 
the  atoning  sacrifice  of  Christ  to  procure  pardon  and 
peace  for  the  sinner.  With  her  characteristic  love  for 
perishing  souls,  she  urged  them  by  every  consideration  to 
flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  to  embrace  Jesus  as 
their  Saviour  by  believing  in  him.  Many  were  deeply 
impressed  with  the  truth ;  the  tears  might  often  have 
been  seen  flowing  down  the  hardened  cheeks ;  and  several 
came  to  her,  of  their  own  accord,  under  great  distress  of 
mind,  to  speak  to  her  Lad3^ship  respecting  their  souls. 
A  visible  reformation  appeared  in  the  lives  of  not  a  few ; 
the  Sabbath  was  observed  with  much  greater  strictness  ; 
and  many  vicious  practices  were  either  given  up,  or  with- 
drawn from  the  public  gaze. 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  was  absent  from  London,  the 
nobility  crowded  to  the  drawing-rooms  of  her  friends  to 
listen  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The  Countess 
Delitz,  sister  of  Lady  Chesterfield,  opened  her  mansion  in 
South  Audley  Street ;  and  the  residence  of  Lady  Gertrude 
Hotham  became  a  temple  for  the  service  of  the  Lord. 
Whitefield  laboured  there  with  great  diligence  and  suc- 
cess ;  and  in  his  letters  to  the  Countess  at  Ashby,  he  re- 
cords the  evident  tokens  of  God's  favour.  He  says, 
"  Though  I  am  weary  in  walking  to  and  from  South 
Audley  Street,  yet  I  must  not  omit  sending  to  your  Lady- 
ship this  night.  This  day  hath  been  spent  with  the 
Countess,  Lady  Gertrude,  Colonel  Gumley,  &c.  I  gave 
them  the  communion,  and  afterwards  preached  ;  the  pub- 
lic minister  from  Genoa  came  to  hear  me,  and  1  believe  it 
was  a  profitable  season.  Lady  Fanny  holds  on,  and 
writes  word  to  the  Countess  that  she  wishes  all  were  as 
happy  as  she  hath  been  in  reading  Bishop  Hall's  Con- 
templations/'    Lady  Fanny  Shirley  also  now  made  an 


A     L  E  A  D  E  R     W  A  N  T  E  D  .  Ill 

open  profession  of  her  faith  in   Christ,   and    remained 
stedfast  amid  the  sneers  and  ridicule  of  her  fashionable 
friends.     She  opened  her  house  for  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel ;    and  there  Whitefield  and  other  ministers  pro- 
claimed the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.     He  says,   "  On 
Saturday  I  had  the  honour  of  being  almost  all  the  day 
long  with  Lady  Fanny,  Lady  Gertrude  Hotham,   Lady 
Chesterfield,  and  the  Countess  Delitz.     Lady  Fanny  and 
the  Countess  received  the  blessed  sacrament  before  the 
others  came,  and  I  think  they  both  grow."     While  White- 
field  was  preaching  in  Yorkshire,  where,  in  connexion 
with  Mr.  Grimshaw,  he  produced  the  most  marvellous 
excitement,  he  often  wrote  to  the  noble  converts  in  Lon- 
don, and  urged  them  to  maintain  their  faith  and  zeal,  and 
to  persevere  in  their  efforts  to  make  known  the  gospel. 
He  did  not  visit  Scotland  this  year,  but  after  preaching 
for  Wesley's  societies  at  Leeds  and  JSTewcastle,  returned 
to  London. 

Whitefield  had  a  very  high  opinion  of  the  wisdom  and 
the  talents  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  He  generally  deferred 
to  her  judgment  in  religious  matters,  and  was  thankful 
for  her  advice  in  all  his  movements.  His  diffidence  led 
him  to  shrink  from  exercising  authority  and  power. 
He  says,  ''  O  that  I  may  learn  from  all  I  see  to  desire  to 
be  nothing,  and  to  think  it  my  highest  privilege  to  be  an 
assistant  to  all,  but  the  head  of  none.  He,  however,  was 
by  no  means  insensible  to  the  advantages  of  systematic 
unity  ;  and  he  formed  the  design  of  identifying  Lady 
Huntingdon  with  his  societies,  by  appointing  her  the 
head  of  them.  He  wished  to  be  free  from  the  care  of 
them,  that  he  might  be  more  at  liberty  to  preach  the 
gospel ;  he  had  seen  the  many  benefits  accruing  to  the 
persecuted  from  her  patronage ;  and  he  discerned  in  her 
tliose  qualities  which  admirably  fitted  her  to  command. 
In  a  letter  to  her  Ladyship  he  says  "  A  leader  is  wanting. 
This  honour  hath  been  put  upon  your  Ladyship  by  the 


112        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

great  Head  of  tlie  Cliurcli ;  an  lionoiir  canferred  on  few, 
but  an  earnest  of  one  to  be  put  upon  your  Ladyship  be- 
fore men  and  angels^  wben  time  shall  be  no  more."     It  is 
not  known  how  she  replied  to  his  suggestion  ;  but  no  one 
can  peruse  her  life,  and  see  how  wisely  she  managed  the 
affairs  of  a  vast  number   of  chapels,  and   regulated   an 
itinerancy  spread  over  the  greater  part  of  England  and 
AYales,  without  admitting,  that  Whitefield  was  correct  in 
his  estimate  of  her  powers  of  supervision  and  controul. 
It  was  a  matter  of  deep  concern  to  the  Countess,  that 
there  existed  so  little  cordiality  between  the  two  great 
leaders  of  Methodism.    Each  was  labouring  in  his  different 
sphere,  and  was  anxious  to  promote  the  salvation  of  souls ; 
but  they  never  assisted  one  another,   nor  interchanged 
their  services.     Her  Ladyship  possessed  the  true  spirit  of 
the  Evangelical  Alliance,  a  century  before  such  a  thing- 
was  realized  :  and  with  a  view  to  heal  the  breach  between 
these   good   men,  and  to    promote  Christian  union,  she 
wrote  to  Whitefield  and  Wesley,  and  urged  them  to  for- 
get their  differences,  and  remember  their  point  of  agree- 
ment,— to  abandon  controversy, — and  to  show  an  example 
of  forbearance  and  love.     Her  advice  secured  the  most 
happy  results.     Whitefield  offered  his  services  to  Wesley, 
which  were  accepted.     On  Friday,  January  19th,   1750, 
Wesley  read  prayers  at  West-Street  Chapel,  and  White- 
field  preached  to  a  very  crowded  congregation ;  and  on 
the   following    Sabbath,    Whitefield   read    prayers    and 
Wesley   preached   at   the   Tabernacle,    after   which   the 
sacrament   was   administered   to   above  twelve  hundred 
persons.     The  next  morning,  Wesley  read  prayers  at  the 
Foundry,    and   Howell  Harris  preached  to   the   people. 
These   fraternal   services  greatly   delighted   Whitefield  ; 
and  filled  Lady  Huntingdon  with  devout  thankfulness. 
She   fervently  prayed  that  the  union  might  be   lasting, 
and  exert  a  beneficial  influence  on  the   Church  and  the 
world.     From  this  time,  these   champions  of  the   truth 


WESLEY     AND     WHITEFIELD.  113 

were  drawn  closer  together  ;  tliey  cherished  more  kindly 
feelings,  and  occasionally  assisted  each  other.  It  is  true 
the  deep  scar  of  the  wound  still  remained,  and  sometimes 
called  up  a  feeling  of  rivalry ;  but  they  strove  to  gain 
the  mastery  over  it ;  they  kept  up  a  correspondence, 
which  was  broken  off  only  by  death  ;  and  when  AVhite- 
field  fell  in  the  service  of  his  Master  on  a  foreign  land, 
the  surviving  veteran  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and 
pronounced  a  just  and  eloquent  eulogy  on  his  character. 

Towards  the  end  of  January  1750,  Lady  Huntingdon 
was  attacked  with  an  alarming  illness,  which  for  several 
days  threatened  the  loss  of  her  valuable  life.  The  Ladies 
Hastings  were  anxiously  concerned  for  her  safety ;  they 
procured  the  best  medical  aid  in  the  vicinit}^  of  Ashby, 
and  immediately  dispatched  a  messenger  to  Northampton 
for  Dr.  Stonhouse.  Many  were  the  fervent  prayers  they 
offered  to  Him,  in  whom  we  live,  and  move,  and  have 
our  being,  that  her  life  might  be  spared ;  and  these  petitions 
were  heard  and  answered.  In  about  ten  days,  under  the 
judicious  treatment  of  the  doctor,  the  violence  of  the 
disease  began  to  abate  ;  and  her  Ladyship  soon  became  so 
far  recovered,  as  to  be  able  to  write  to  her  friends,  though 
for  some  weeks  she  was  unable  to  leave  her  apartment. 
Lady  Anne  Hastings  wrote  to  Whitefield,  and  informed 
him  of  the  illness  of  the  Countess  ;  but  as  he  was  travel- 
ling in  Gloucestershire,  he  did  not  receive  the  letter,  till 
he  heard  at  Bristol  of  her  recovery ;  when  he  forwarded 
to  her  one  of  those  cheering  and  consolatory  letters,  which 
he  knew  so  well  how  to  indite.  The  anxiety  and  con- 
stant attendance  of  Lady  Anne,  brought  on  a  serious  in- 
disposition ;  but  repose  and  care  speedily  restored  her  to 
health  and  strength. 

The  mind  of  Lady  Huntingdon  was  greatly  chastened 
by  the  affliction  through  which  she  had  passed,  and  she 
resolved  more  earnestly  to  employ  the  life  God  had  been 
pleased  to  spare.     She  had  passed  through  so  many  seasons 


114  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

of  trial;  tliat  slie  was  eminently  calculated  to  sootlie  the 
mourning  spirit ;  and  lier  experience  had  been  so  varied, 
that  there  were  few  cases  in  which  she  could  not  sympa- 
thize, as  having  passed  through  the  same.  It  was  about 
this  time  that  the  news  of  the  death  of  the  Duke  of 
Somerset  reached  her  ;  and  she  wrote  a  letter  of  condo- 
lence to  the  sorrowing  widow,  whom  she  had  known,  and 
often  visited,  when  the  celebrated  Countess  of  Hertford. 
After  his  decease,  his  widow  returned  to  Percy  Lodge, 
near  Colnbrook  ;  a  most  magnificent  spot,  which  has  been 
celebrated  by  Sbenstone,  Thomson,  and  other  poets.  She 
was  a  distinguished  patroness  of  literature,  saved  the  life 
of  Savage  by  her  intercession  Avith  the  Kiug,  and  was  de- 
servedly admired  for  her  fine  taste,  splendid  talents,  and 
exalted  virtues.  Her  friendship  increased  for  Lady 
Huntingdon  ;  whose  piety  and  holy  conversation  were 
the  means  of  leading  her  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ,  before  she  was  removed  from  this  world — an 
event  which  took  place  a  few  years  after  the  Duke. 

Whitefield  was  now  zealously  itinerating  in  Cornwall. 
He  had  written  a  letter  to  the  Bishop  of  Exeter,  and  he 
was  anxious  to  see  how  it  had  been  received.  He  went 
to  Exeter  in  March,  and  again  appeared  in  the  fields  ;  for 
which  Lavington  threatened  to  Avrite  another  phamphlet 
against  him.  In  the  evening,  the  Bishop,  and  several  of 
his  clergy  stood  near  him,  and  saw  ten-thousand  persons 
awe-struck  by  his  appeals.  Three  large  stones  were 
hurled  at  the  preacher  by  a  furious  drunkard,  one  of  which 
cut  him  severely  on  the  head  ;  yet,  neither  the  prelate  nor 
his  friends  interfered,  though  the  lives  of  their  own 
parishioners  were  endangered.  Whitefield  met  with  a 
warm  coadjutor  in  the  Kev.  Mr.  Thompson,  vicar  of  St. 
Ginny  near  Camelford,  an  intimate  friend  of  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon. He  was  a  man  of  great  talents,  and  social  dis- 
position ;  but  had  been  very  gay  and  dissipated.  In  the 
midst  of  his  debaucheries,  he  had  a  remarkable  dream  ; 


EARTHQUAKE     IN    LONDON.  115 

when  a  voice  said  to  him,  '^  This  clay  month,  about  six 
in  the  afternoon,  you  must  appear  before  the  judgment- 
seat  of  Christ,  to  give  an  account  of  the  dreadful  abuse 
of  all  your  talents,  and  the  injuries  done  to  the  souls  com- 
mitted to  your  care."  The  dream  was  twice  repeated, 
and  filled  him  with  the  greatest  alarm.  He  confessed  his 
sins,  cried  out  for  mercy,  and  became  a  burning  and 
shining  light.  His  heart  was  filled  with  intense  love  for 
perishing  souls ;  and  he  commenced  faithfully  to  preach 
the  gospel,  and  to  warn  all  to  flee  to  Christ  for  safety. 
The  Spirit  of  God  greatly  blessed  his  labours ;  a  mighty 
awakening  took  place  in  his  parish ;  and  throughout  the 
county,  his  zeal  and  piety  were  conspicuous.  His  devo- 
tedness  to  his  Master  stirred  up  the  opposition  of  the 
clergy ;  the  neighbouring  pulpits  were  all  closed  against 
him ;  and  he  was  summoned  before  his  diocesan,  to 
answer  certain  grave  charges  which  were  made  against 
him.  The  Bishop  threatened  to  strip  him  of  his  gown, 
for  his  Methodistical  practices,  and  for  daring  to  counte- 
nance Whitefield.  His  Lordship,  however,  was  saved 
the  trouble ;  for  Mr.  Thompson  immediately  disrobed 
himself;  and  throwing  his  gown  at  Lavington's  feet,  ex- 
claimed, ''I  can  preach  the  gospel  without  a  gown,"  and 
retired.  Astonished  at  such  independent  conduct,  the 
Bishop  stood  for  some  time  confounded ;  but  at  length, 
he  sent  for  the  intrepid  man,  and  persuaded  him  to  re- 
main in  the  church.  This  laborious  minister  was  the 
means  of  bringing  many  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth. 
Dr.  Doddrido-e  calls  him  a  second  Colonel  Gardiner, 
''  whose  story  may  be  told  whenever  the  Established 
Church  shall  lose  one  of  its  brightest  living  ornaments, 
and  one  of  the  most  useful  members,  of  which  that,  or 
perhaps  any  Christian  communion,  can  boast." 

Towards  the  end  of  March  1750,  London  was  thown 
into  the  greatest  consternation  by  the  shocks  of  an 
earthquake.     The  city  was  notorious  for  its  ignorance 


116  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

and  vice.  Infidelity  liad  spread  widely  among  the  higher 
classes,  and  breathed  its  blasphemy  in  the  most  public 
manner.  Error  had  crept  into  the  chnrches,  and,  in 
various  forms,  was  lulling  men  to  destruction.  Idleness, 
drunkenness,  luxury,  extravagance,  and  debauchery  were 
seen  in  all  directions.  The  shocks  were  very  violent  and 
rapid.  The  earth  trembled  and  rocked  with  great  vel- 
ocity ;  and  a  low  rumbling  sound,  like  the  murmur  of 
distant  thunder,  was  heard.  The  houses  vibrated  on 
their  foundations ;  the  windows  rattled  in  their  frames ; 
the  tiles  flew  oflP  from  the  roofs;  and  many  chimneys  were 
thrown  down.  Fear  seized  the  hearts  of  the  people  ;  and 
multitudes  rushed  out  of  the  city  to  seek  safety  elsewhere. 
The  roads  were  crowded  with  fugitives ;  and  vast  numbers 
repaired  to  the  fields  and  open  places  near  the  metropolis. 
Tower-hill,  Moorfields,  and  especially  Hyde  Park  were 
filled  with  men,  women,  and  children  ;  who  remained 
there  a  whole  night  in  the  most  fearful  apprehension. 
The  places  of  worship  were  thronged  with  frightened 
sinners  ;  and  the  Methodist  chapels  were  literally  besieged 
by  the  crowds,  who  knocked  at  the  doors,  and  cried  out 
for  God's  sake  to  be  admitted. 

As  usual  on  such  occasions,  many  prophets  arose  to 
point  out  the  coming  disasters.  A  soldier  spread  the 
tidings  that  it  had  been  revealed  to  him  that  a  part  of 
London  and  Westminster  would  be  destroyed  by  an 
earthquake,  on  a  certain  night  between  twelve  and  one 
o'clock.  When  the  night  approached,  thousands  fled 
from  the  city  to  the  fields,  where  they  awaited  the  awful 
event,  in  solemn  and  breathless  silence  ;  while  many  ran 
through  the  streets  in  a  state  of  frenzy,  eying  out  that 
the  day  of  judgment  was  come,  and  their  damnation  was 
at  hand.  The  chapels  of  the  Methodists  were  filled  with 
excited  audiences  ;  and  Charles  Wesley  and  Whitefield 
preached  incessantly,  and  succeeded  in  calming  their 
minds,  and  directing  them  to  Christ.     Whitefield  repaired 


WHITEFIELD     IN     HYDE     PARK.  117 

to  Hyde  Park  at  inidniglat,  to  speak  to  the  people  there 
assembled.  No  pen  can  adequately  describe  the  scene. 
The  vast  space  was  one  sea  of  living  beings,  whose  move- 
ments could  hardly  be  discovered  through  the  darkness 
of  the  night.  A  confused  murmur  ran  through  the  whole 
mass ;  which  was  often  disturbed  by  wild  cries  and 
shrieks,  when  fancy  pictured  the  horror  of  the  approach- 
ing earthquake.  Whitefield  rose,  and  began  to  speak 
amid  the  most  breathless  silence.  His  soul  was  in 
sympathy  with  the  solemn  occasion  ;  his  majestic  voice 
sounded  clear  and  impressive  in  the  midnight  air  : — and 
with  all  the  pathos  and  grandeur  of  his  nature,  he  led  the 
minds  of  his  audience  to  the  consideration  of  that  great 
day,  when  every  soul  will  stand  before  God,  and  receive 
the  reward  of  his  deeds  ;  and  when  the  framework  of 
nature  will  be  dissolved,  and  this  very  earth  and  its 
works  be  wrapped  in  flames.  His  appeals  to  their  hearts 
and  consciences  were  overwhelming.  His  words  stirred 
up  the  depths  of  the  soul ;  and  as  his  impassioned 
eloquence  streamed  forth,  lie  irresistibly  carried  his 
audience  along  with  him,  bringing  terror  to  the  sinner, 
hope  to  the  desponding,  faith  to  the  awakened,  and  peace 
and  joy  to  the  believing  heart.  He  wrote  to  Lady 
Huntingdon,  and  said,  "  God  has  been  terribly  shaking 
the  metropolis.  I  hope  it  is  an  earnest  of  his  giving  a 
shock  to  secure  sinners,  and  making  them  cry  out  ^  What 
shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ?  '" 


118        ME  MO  IK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON 


CHAPTER  YIL    A.D.  1750—1751. 

THE  KEV.  JAMES  HERVEY. — WHITEPIELD  AT  NORTHAMP- 
TON AND  ASHBY. — NEW  JERSEY  COLLEGE. — PERSECUTION 
AT  ASHBY. — CONVERSION  OF  MR.  THORPE. — WHITEFIELD 
IN  YORKSHIRE. — MINISTERS'  BREAKFAST  AT  THE  TAB- 
ERNACLE.— MESSRS.  MADAN  AND  BROWNE  ORDAINED 
THROUGH  LADY  HUNTINGDON'S  INFLUENCE. — ILLNESS 
OF  THE  COUNTESS. — DEATH  OF  LADY  FRANCES  HAS- 
TINGS. 

Lady  Huntingdon  remained  for  some  time  at  Ashby 
in  a  very  precarious  state  of  health.  Her  active  and 
enterprising  mind,  and  her  ardent  feelings  were  almost 
too  powerful  for  her  weak  frame,  and  frequently  brought 
her  to  the  verge  of  the  grave.  Through  a  long  life,  she 
was  often  severely  afflicted  ;  yet  she  bore  it  with  patient 
resignation ;  and  increased  her  exertions  for  the  glory  of 
God  while  it  was  yet  day,  because  she  could  not  tell  how 
soon  the  night  might  close  in  upon  her.  Every  year  her 
circle  of  friends  and  correspondents  was  widening  ;  whom 
she  greatly  stimulated  by  her  pious  conversation,  and 
her  devout  and  beautiful  letters.  When  her  illness 
prevented  her  exhorting  the  strong,  visiting  the  sick,  or 
reading  to  the  dying,  her  time  was  occupied  in  writing  to 
her  friends ;  and  in  her  voluminous  correspondence*  it 
would  be  difficult  to  determine  which  to  admire  most ; — 
the  simplicity  of  style,  the  vigour  of  thought,  and  the 
judicious  wisdom  which  characterized  her  letters  ;  or,  the 

^  See  The  Life  and  Times  of  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon,  2  vols. 
London,  Painter. 


WHITEFIELD     AT     NORTHAMPTON.        119 

earnestness  of  zeal,  the  spirituality  of  mind,  the  humility 
and  self-abnegation,  and  the  unreserved  consecration  of 
heart  which  pervade  them.  It  was  about  this  time  she 
corresponded  regularly  with  the  excellent  Mr.  Hervey, 
and  continued  to  do  so  till  his  death ;  and  his  letters  to 
her  are  full  of  that  pathos  and  spirituality  for  which  his 
writings  are  remarkable. 

During  her  Ladyship's  indisposition,  Whitefield  left 
London,  in  the  beginning  of  May,  to  visit  her  at  Ash  by : 
and  on  his  way,  spent  a  few  days,  at  Northampton  with 
Dr.  Stonhouse,  Dr.  Doddridge,  Mr.  Hervey,  and  Mr. 
Hartley,  rector  of  Winwick.  He  had  been  associated 
with  Mr.  Hervey  at  the  university,  and  when  on  a  previ- 
ous visit  to  him,  preached  in  Northampton  for  Dr.  Dodd- 
ridge, who,  in  return,  took  the  service  of  the  Tabernacle 
in  London.  Dr.  Stonhouse  had  imbibed  infidel  principles 
when  studying  anatomy  under  Dr.  Nicholls  at  Oxford, 
and  laboured  to  difiuse  them  abroad ;  but  the  work  of 
Doddridge  on  the  "  Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion,''''  and 
the  efforts  of  Mr.  Hervey  were  the  means  of  his  conver- 
sion to  God.     Whitefield  says  : — 

"  On  the  Tuesday  I  preached  in  the  morning  to  Dr. 
Doddridge's  family,  and  in  the  afternoon  to  above  two 
thousand  in  the  field.  Dr.  Stonhouse,  Mr.  Hervey,  &c., 
attended  me,  and  walked  with  me  afterwards  along  the 
street ;  so  that  I  hope  the  physician  will  now  turn  his 
back  on  the  world,  and  be  content  to  follow  a  despised 
crucified  Kedeemer  without  reserve.  I  expounded  at  his 
house  in  the  evening,  and  am  hereafter  to  come  to  it  as 
my  own." 

Lady  Huntingdon  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  the  physician.  While  he  was  attending  to  the 
health  of  her  body,  she  was  ministering  to  the  prosperity 
of  his  soul ;  and  her  conversation  and  letters  were  of  the 
most  signal  service  to  him,  and  encouraged  him  to  make 
an  open  profession  of  the  gospel.      Dr.  Stonhouse  soon 


120      me:\ioir    of    lady    iiuntixgdox. 

after  began  to  preach,  and  Lady  Hunting-don  and  her 
chaplain  wrote  to  him  and  urged  him  to  go  forth  boldly, 
and  proclaim  the  glad  tivdings  of  salvation  every  where. 
As  the  Eev.  Sir  James  Stonhouse,  he  afterwards  became 
well  known,  and  was  considered  one  of  the  most  correct 
and  elegant  preachers  in  the  kingdom. 

On  Whitefield's  arrival  at  Ashby,  he  found  the  Countess 
very  weak,  but  much  better  than  he  had  anticipated.  He 
commenced  his  energetic  labours,  and  aroused  many  to  a 
sense  of  their  miserable  condition.  He  preached  daily  at 
her  house,  and  whenever  he  could,  in  the  neighbouring 
churches.  He,  however,  experienced  great  opposition  at 
Ashby  ;  a  mob  was  collected  around  her  Ladyship's  door, 
while  he  was  preaching ;  and  some  of  those  who  attended, 
very  narrowly  escaped  being  murdered  on  their  way 
home.  Still  thousands  flocked  to  hear  the  gospel ;  and  a 
neighbouring  magistrate  took  active  steps  to  bring  the 
rioters  to  justice.  He  remained  here  about  a  fortnight, 
during  which  time  many  plans  were  devised  for  promo- 
ting the  general  interests  of  religion.  He  brought  letters 
to  her  Ladyship  from  Governor  Belcher  and  President 
Burr  respecting  the  re-establishment  of  the  Presbj'terian 
College  in  New  Jersey  on  a  more  extensive  scale.  A 
statement  of  the  proposed  enlargement  and  constitution 
of  the  College  was  drawn  up,  which,  by  her  Ladyship's 
advice  was  printed,  together  with  a  recommendation  of 
the  plan,  subscribed  by  Lady  Huntingdon,  George  White- 
field,  Dr.  Doddridge,  and  others.  The  Countess  entered 
warmly  into  the  scheme ;  she  collected  considerable  sums 
among  her  friends  and  acquaintances  ;  and  corresponded 
with  many  persons  of  eminence  in  England  and  Scotland. 
Her  chaplain  also  preached  several  sermons  on  its  behalf, 
and  obtained  a  large  sum  of  money,  which  he  immedi- 
ately transmitted  to  America. 

Ashby  now  enjoyed  the  labours  of  four  distinguished 
ministers  of  Christ.     Mr.  Baddelley,  her  domestic  chap- 


121 

lain,  was  in  London,  and  his  place  was  supplied  by  Mr. 
Graves  and  Mr.  Simpson,  who  were  zealously  engaged  in 
preaching  the  gospel.  Lady  Huntingdon  wrote  to  Mr. 
Hervey,  requesting  him  to  pay  her  a  visit  as  soon  as  he 
could ;  and  he  arrived  at  her  mansion  a  few  days  before 
Whitefield  left.  She  wished  also  to  have  the  company  of 
Dr.  Doddridge,  to  whom  Whitefield  wrote,  "Your  kind 
letter  found  me  happy  at  our  good  Lady  Huntingdon's, 
whose  path  shines  brighter  and  brighter  unto  the  perfect 
day.  Gladly  shall  I  call  upon  you  again  at  Northampton, 
if  the  Lord  spares  my  life.  *  ^  *  Good  Lady  Hunting- 
don greatly  esteems  you.  I  go  with  regret  from  her  Lady- 
ship, who  intends  writing  to  you  this  evening  ;  do  come 
and  see  her  soon."  Dr.  Doddridge  was  then  unable  to 
leave,  but  paid  a  visit  to  Ashby  in  June. 

Whitefield  left  Ashby  May  20th,  1750,  and  proceeded 
on  his  way  towards  Scotland,  preaching  the  gospel  at  the 
principal  towns  in  his  route.  He  often  wrote  to  her 
Ladyship  and  narrated  the  incidents  of  his  career :  and 
in  these  letters  we  find  the  following  expression  respect- 
ing her  efforts  at  Ashby.  "  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  what 
becomes  of  the  rioters.  0  that  your  Ladyship  may  live 
to  see  many  of  those  Ashby  stones  become  children  to 
Abraham."  "  Ungateful  Ashby !  0  that  thou  knewest 
the  day  of  thy  visitation !  Surely  your  Ladyship  may 
shake  off  the  dust  of  your  feet  against  them.  This  was 
the  command  which  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus  gave  to 
his  Apostles,  where  the  gospel  was  not  received  ;  and  he 
himself  departed  when  the  Gadarenes  desired  him  to  go 
from  their  coasts.  This  justifies  your  Ladyship  in  remov- 
ing Mr.  Baddelley.  What  avails  throwing  pearls  before 
swine,  who  only  turn  again  and  rend  you?  "  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon, however,  did  not  prosecute  those  who  had  dis- 
turbed her  friends ;  and  Whitefield  says,  "Your  Ladyship 
hath  acted  like  yourself  in  forgiving  the  offenders  ;  such 
offences  come  that  Christ's  followers  may  give  evidence 

11 


122        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

of  his  blessed  temper  being  wrougbt  in  their  hearts. 
Your  letter  revived  my  heart,  and  gave  me  some  fresh 
hopes  for  ungrateful  Ashby." 

On  his  way  to  Nottingham,  Whitefield  met  with  an 
intimate   friend  of  her  Ladyship,  Mrs.  Hester   Gibbon, 
aunt  to  the  eloquent  historian  of  The  Decline  and  Fall  of 
the  Roman  empire.     She  had  retired  with  a  Mrs.  Hutcheson 
to  a  delightful  retreat  at  King's  Cliff,  Northamptonshire, 
where,  having  determined  to  devote  their  remaining  days 
to  charitable  and  religious  duties,  they  selected  the  cele- 
brated Mr.  Law,  as  a  suitable  person  to  be  their  chapbin 
and  almoner.     Lady  Huntingdon  had  occasionally  corres- 
ponded with  these  singular  and  benevolent  ladies ;  who 
when  informed  by  Dr.  Stonhouse  of  the  severe  illness  of 
the  Countess,  requested  Mr.  Hartley  to  visit  Ashby,  and 
convey  their  condolence  to  her  Ladyship.     He,  however, 
was  unable  to  leave   his  parish;  but  when   Whitefield 
informed  them  of  her  restoration  to  health,  they  wrote  a 
cheerful  letter  to  her,  and  sent  it  by  the  hands  of  Mr, 
Hartley.     '^O,  how  have  w^e  prayed  and  wrestled  with 
the  great  Author  of  life  and  light,  for  the  preservation  of 
your  invaluable  existence.     Precious  above  estimation  is 
the  prolongation  of  such  a  life  as  yours.     We  mourned, 
we  wept,  we  prayed ;  and,  each  returning  day,  your  case 
was   presented   on   our   family    altar.     Thanks,    eternal 
thanks  to  Him,  with  whom  are  the  issues  of  life  and 
death,  for  your  restoration  and  subsequent  amendment." 
At  Eotherham,  Whitefield  received  much  opposition, 
but  gained  still  more  success.     He  preached  on  the  Friday 
evening   and   Saturday   morning ;  and   writes   to   Lady 
Huntingdon,  "  The  crier  was  employed  to  give  notice  of 
a  bear-baiting ;  your  Ladyship  may  guess  who  was  the 
hear.     About  seven  in  the  morning  the  drum  was  heard, 
and  several  watermen  attended  it  with  great  staves.    The 
constable  was  struck,  and  two  of  the  mobbers  were  appre- 


CONVERSION     OF     MR.  THORPE.  123 

hended,  but  rescued  afterwards.     But  all  this  does  not 
come  up  to  the  kind  usage  of  the  people  of  Ashby." 

There  was  a  young  man  named  Thorpe  who  was  ex- 
ceedingly bitter  against  him,  and  was  not  content  with 
personal  insult,  but  added  private  ridicule  to  public 
interruption.  The  taverns  were  then  the  resort  of  young 
men,  who  exercised  their  talents  in  mimicry  and  jesting. 
At  one  of  these  convival  parties,  Thorpe  and  three  of  his 
companions  undertook  to  entertain  their  associates  by 
'taking  off'  Whitefield.  The  proposal  was  received  with 
loud  applause,  and  a  prize  promised  to  the  best  performer. 
The  three,  in  their  turn,  mounted  the  table,  opened  the 
Bible,  and  soon  exhausted  their  stock  of  ribaldry.  Thorpe 
then  arose,  and  exclaimed,  ''  I  shall  beat  you  all."  The 
book  was  opened,  and  the  text  selected,  "Except  ye 
repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish  ; "  but  he  had  no 
sooner  uttered  the  words,  than  his  mind  was  affected  in  a 
very  extraordinary  manner.  The  sharpest  pangs  of  con- 
viction seized  him,  and  his  conscience  denounced  tremen- 
dous vengeance  on  his  souL  The  light  of  heaven  flashed 
on  his  mind  ;  his  discourse  rose  orderly  before  him  ;  and 
almost  unconsciously  he  proceeded  with  great  fluency 
of  thought  and  expression,  speaking  more  like  a  practised 
divine,  than  a  profligate  jester.  He  afterwards  often 
declared  that  if  ever  he  preached  by  the  assistance  of  the 
Spirit  it  was  then.  The  impression  made  upon  his  mind 
by  the  subject,  had  such  an  effect  upon  his  manner,  that 
his  audience  was  astounded.  They  felt  he  was  sincere  ; 
instead  of  being  enlivened  they  were  depressed,  and  were 
speedily  filled  with  the  most  gloomy  apprehensions. 
The  change  in  them  increased  the  power  of  his  own  con- 
victions ;  no  one  dared  to  stop  him ;  all  were  riveted  to 
their  seats  ;  and  his  sentences  were  frequently  so  thrilling 
that  even  his  own  hair  stood  erect.  At  length  he  finished, 
and  desended  from  the  table ;  not  a  word  was  uttered 
about  the  prize ;  and  Thorpe,  without  noticing  any  one, 


12i  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

hastily  retired  to  his  home.  This  was  his  last  Bacchana- 
lian revel.  He  broke  away  from  his  companions  ;  and 
afterwards  became  the  pastor  of  the  Independent  Church 
at  Masborough,  near  Eotherham,  and  the  father  of  the 
eloquent  minister  of  Castle-Green  Chapel,  Bristol. 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  was  entertaining  her  friends 
at  Ashby,  and  corresponding  with  others  at  a  distance, 
Whitefield  was  pursuing  his  labours  in  Yorkshire.  Ac- 
companied by  Mr.  Grimshaw,  and  Mr.  Ingham,  he 
preached  at  Leeds,  Haworth,  and  Manchester  to  astonish- 
ing crowds  of  people.  His  talents  were  peculiarly 
adapted  to  itinerancy ;  his  manner,  voice,  solemnity  and 
fervour  commanded,  and  riveted  the  attention  of  his  audi- 
ence, and  held  the  crowds  spell- bound  around  him.  He 
travelled  through  Lancashire,  Westmoreland,  and  Cum- 
berland, preaching  every  where  to  the  people,  who  gene- 
rally were  attentive  and  orderly  ;  and  then  proceeded  to 
Edinburgh,  where  he  took  up  his  residence  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  J.  Nimmo,  whose  Lady  was  an  intimate  friend  and 
correspondent  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  Whitefield  wrote 
to  Ashby  an  account  of  his  proceedings,  which  greatly 
cheered  the  Countess  ;  and  she  replied  to  his  letters,  and 
requested  him  to  invite  the  correspondence  of  some  of 
the  Scottish  ministers.  She  cultivated  an  acquaintance 
with  Dr.  Gillies  of  Glasgow,  Dr.  Webster  of  Edinburgh, 
and  Mr.  Wardrobe  of  Bathgate,  whom  she  often  called 
her  zealous  Scotch  chaplain.  After  visiting  Glasgow, 
AYhitefield  returned  to  his  duties  in  London,  and  fre- 
quently assisted  John  Wesley,  at  West  Street  chapel. 

Though  the  health  of  Mr.  Harvey  had  been  greatly 
benefited  by  his  visit  to  Ashby,  Dr.  Stonhouse  advised 
a  fresh  change  of  air ;  and  as  Whitefield  had  invited  him 
to  the  Tabernacle  house  in  London,  he  resolved  to  accept 
the  invitation.  On  his  way  thither,  he  paid  a  visit  to  Dr. 
Cotton,  an  eminent  physician,  who  kept  a  private  lunatic 
asylum  at  St.  Albans.     This  gentleman  was  a  poet,  and 


DR.      DODDRIDGE'S     LETTER.  125 

had  been  introduced  to  Lady  Huntingdon  by  Dr.  Ston- 
bouse.  When  he  published  his  ''  Visions, ^^  he  presented 
her  Ladyship  with  a  copy,  who,  in  a  letter  acknow- 
ledging its  receipt,  made  some  remarks  on  what  she  con- 
sidered the  defects  of  the  work.  He  took  her  friendly 
criticism  in  good  part,  and  was  confirmed  in  the  sound- 
ness of  her  remarks  by  the  similar  animadversions,  which 
his  sincere  friend  Mr.  Hervey  made  on  the  poem.  While 
Mr.  Hervey  was  in  town.  Lady  Huntingdon  persuaded 
him  to  avail  himself  of  the  visits  of  Dr.  Cotton  to  the 
metropolis  to  secure  the  benefit  of  his  distinguished  skill. 
She  also  introduced  him  to  many  of  the  pious  nobility, 
particularly  to  Lady  Hotham,  Lad}^  Chesterfield,  the 
Countess  Delitz,  and  Lady  Fanny  Shirley,  at  whose  house 
he  occasionally  expounded  to  an  attentive  and  fashionable 
audience.  As  often  as  his  health  permitted,  he  attended 
the  services  of  the  Tabernacle,  and  was  greatly  delighted 
with  the  fervour  of  Whitefield's  preaching.  The  Taber- 
nacle house  was  the  resort  of  evangelical  ministers  of  all 
denominations.  On  one  oceasion  John  AVesley,  the  cele- 
brated Eomaine,  Dr.  Gill,  Dr.  Gifibrd,  Messrs  :  Cudworth 
and  Cennick,  breakfasted  with  Whitefield  and  Hervey ; 
and  afterwards  spent  the  morning  in  reading  the  Scrip- 
tures, prayer,  and  exhortation.  These  meetings  were  sea- 
sons of  holy  joy  to  them;  the  Spirit  descended  with 
great  power  upon  their  souls ;  their  faith  was  strengthened, 
their  love  quickened,  their  zeal  stimulated,  and  their 
lives  afresh  devoted  to  the  service  of  their  Master. 

Meanwhile,  Lady  Huntingdon  was  actively  engaged  at 
Ashby  and  was  reaping  a  most  glorious  harvest.  She 
frequently  wrote  to  Whitefield  an  account  of  her  labours ; 
and  he  promised  to  take  Ashby  on  his  travels,  and  visit 
her  Ladyship.  He  says,  ''  I  am  surprised  at  your  Lady- 
ship's doing,  and  going  through  so  much ;  but  what  can- 
not a  believer  do,    when   strengthened  by  the   blessed 

Jesus  ?  "     Early  in  October  her  honoured  chaplain  arrived 

11* 


126         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

at  lier  mansion,  and  was  highly  delighted  with  the  pros- 
pect which  was  opening  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ashby. 
He  thus  writes  to  the  Countess  Delitz  from  Ashby,  Oc- 
tober 11th,  1750. 

"Good  Lady  Huntingdon  goes  on  acting  the  part  of  a 
mother  in  Israel  more  and  more.  For  a  day  or  two  she 
has  had  five  clergymen  under  her  roof,  which  makes  her 
Ladyship  look  like  a  good  Arclibisliop  with  his  chaplains 
around  him.  Her  house  is  a  Bethel ;  to  us  in  the  minis- 
try it  looks  like  a  college.  "We  have  the  sacrament  every 
morning,  heavenly  conversation  all  day,  and  preach  at 
night.  This  is  to  live  at  Court  indeed !  Last  night  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  a  little  flock  that  seemed  to  be 
awakened  by  the  grace  of  God;  so  that  out  of  ungrate- 
ful Ashby,  I  trust  there  will  be  raised  up  many  children 
unto  Abraham.  Your  Ladyship,  and  the  other  elect  la- 
dies are  never  forgotten  by  us.  I  would  write  to  good 
Lady  Fanny,  but  I  hear  she  is  out  of  town." 

AYhitefi eld's  labours  were  much  more  successful  than 
when  he  was  last  at  Ashby ;  his  preaching  produced  a 
deep  impression  on  the  hearts  of  many,  and  filled  her 
Ladyship's  circle  with  love,  joy,  and  peace.  His  discourses 
were  full  of  fervour  and  spirituality  ;  he  preached  Christ 
as  the  only  remedy  for  sin,  the  only  refuge  for  safety, 
and  the  only  hope  which  can  support  in  death,  and 
brio-hten  the  future.  The  neioflibourinoc  churches,  and  the 
open  fields  witnessed  his  enthusiastic  exertions  ;  and  the 
drawing-rooms  of  the  Countess  bore  testimony  to  his 
faithfulness  and  zeal.  All  were  highly  delighted  with 
his  visit,  and  were  stimulated  to  seek  after  higher  attain- 
ments in  the  divine  life,  and  to  consecrate  themselves 
more  entirely  to  the  service  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  heart 
Qf  this  distinguished  minister  was  absorbed  in  his  great 
work.  His  eye  was  constantly  overlooking  the  vast 
sphere  of  his  labours;  and  while  he  was  zealously  itine- 
rating in  the  vicinity  of  Ashby,   he  did  not  forgQi  the 


ministers'    breakfast.  127 

other  parts  of  his  vineyard^  but  addressed  letters  to  his 
converts  elsewhere ;  and  especially  to  Lady  Hotham,  to 
console  her  under  the  bereaving  stroke  which  removed 
her  beloved  daughter  from  her. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  ever  on  the  alert  to  introduce 
holy  and  devoted  men  to  the  ministry,  by  procuring  for 
them  episcopal  ordination.  She  was  truly  anxious  for 
the  efficiency  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  longed  to 
see  evangelical  religion  flourish  in  her  pulpits ;  and  noth- 
ing but  her  love  for  perishing  souls,  which  was  stronger 
than  her  love  for  any  earthly  community,  induced  her,  at 
a  later  period  of  her  career,  reluctantly  to  break  through 
the  ties  Avhich  connected  her  with  the  Establishment. 
She  was  about  this  time  instrumental  in  procuring  ordi- 
nation for  two  young  men,  who  afterwards  became  cele- 
brated preachers  in  her  chapels,  and  in  the  episcopal 
church. 

Mr.  Martin  Madan  was  the  eldest  son  of  Colonel 
Madan,  and  was  brought  up  to  the  study  of  the  law.  He 
possessed  great  powers  of  imitation,  and  caused  much 
amusement  to  his  gay  companions  at  the  noted  coffee 
houses  in  the  metropolis.  One  evening  he  was  requested 
to  hear  Wesley  preach,  and  then  return,  and  exhibit  his 
style  of  discourse  for  their  entertainment.  He  entered 
the  chapel  just  as  the  holy  man  named  his  text,  ^^ Prej^tare 
to  meet  thy  God!^^  and  was  deeply  impressed  with  his 
solemn  appeals.  He  returned  to  his  companions,  who 
asked  him  if  he  had  taken  off  the  old  Methodist.  ''  No, 
gentlemen,"  he  replied,  "but  he  has  taken  me  off."  He 
withdrew  from  their  company,  and  henceforth  associated 
with  religious  persons.  He  was  early  introduced  to  Lady 
Huntingdon,  whose  pious  conversation  greatly  stimulated 
his  faith.  He  possessed  an  ample  fortune,  commanding 
talents,  and  a  prospect  of  great  eminence  in  his  profes- 
sion ;  but  the  love  of  Christ  so  warmed  his  heart,  that  he 
wished  to  consecrate  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 


128  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

His  connection  with  tlie  Methodists,  however,  was  a  great 
barrier  to  his  success  ;  but  through  the  perseverance  and 
influence  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  he  was  admitted  into  holy 
orders.  Soon  after  his  ordination,  he  preached  his  first 
sermon  in  All-hallows  Church,  Lombard  Street.  The 
curiosity  of  the  people  was  aroused ;  the  novelty  of  a 
lawyer  turning  divine,  drew  a  large  audience  ;  and  his 
eloquence  and  Christian  doctrines  filled  his  hearers  with 
gladness.  He  was  rather  tall  in  stature,  and  robust  in 
constitution  ;  his  countenance  was  majestic,  open,  and  en- 
gaging ;  and  his  whole  appearance  noble  and  command- 
ing. He  preached  extempore ;  his  voice  was  clear, 
musical,  and  powerful;  his  action  peculiarly  graceful; 
his  language  forcible  and  expressive ;  his  doctrines  tho- 
roughly evangelical ;  his  arguments  perspicuous  and  con- 
clusive. He  was  mighty  in  the  Scriptures ;  and  was  the 
founder  and  first  chaplain  of  the  Lock  Hospital,  near 
Hyde  Park  corner.  Whitefield  writes  to  her  Ladj^ship, 
'^I  am  glad  Mr.  Madan  is  ordained,  and  I  hope  Mr. 
Browne  will  be  the  next.  By  the  Bishop's  letter  to  him, 
I  find  your  Ladyship  has  acted  in  the  affair  like  yourself. 
Mr.  Browne  is  much  for  embarking  in  Christ's  cause,  and 
if  the  Duchess  (of  Somerset)  would  but  help  him  at  this 
juncture,  he  might  be  a  useful  and  happy  man." 

Mr.  Moses  Browne,  afterwards  well  known  as  the  vicar 
of  Olney,  of  Morden  College,  Blackheath,  met  with  many 
obstacles  in  endeavouring  to  obtain  episcopal  ordination. 
Though  he  had  not  received  an  university  education,  he 
was  a  man  of  considerable  talent,  and  had  a  great  taste 
for  poetry.  His  large  family  and  slender  means  called 
forth  his  activity  ;  and  he  became  a  constant  contributor 
to  the  "  Gentleman's  Magazine,''^  through  which  he  was 
made  known  to  Dr.  Watts,  who  introduced  him  to  Lady 
Huntingdon  and  Lady  Hertford,  afterwards  Duchess  of 
Somerset,  at  whose  house  he  niet  with  the  most  eminent 
literary  characters  of  the  day.     A  serious  illness,  and  the 


MR.     MARTIN     MAD  AN.  129 

preaching  of  the  Methodists  led  to  his  conversion ;  and 
he  desired  to  proclaim  to  others  the  salvation  he  had  re- 
ceived. Her  Ladyship's  success  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Madan 
induced  her  to  persevere  in  her  efforts  to  procure  ordina- 
tion for  Mr.  Browne.  She  wrote  to  the  Bishop  of  Win- 
chester, who  politely  refused ;  and  then  forwarded  his 
testimonials,  signed  by  three  beneficed  clergymen,  Messrs. 
Baddelley,  Hervey,  and  Hartley,  to  the  Bishop  of  Wor- 
cester. As  he  was  in  very  straitened  circumstances,  she 
collected  a  sum  of  money  among  her  friends  to  relieve 
his  wants.  Lady  Chesterfield  took  a  deep  interest  in  his 
welfare  ;  the  Countess  Delitz  sent  him  ten  guineas  ;  Lady 
Fanny  Shirley  wrote  to  the  Duchess  of  Somerset  and  se- 
cured her  interest ;  and  Lord  Bath  assured  her  Ladyship 
of  his  favour  and  support.  Her  application  to  the 
Bishop  of  Worcester  failed ;  but  at  length,  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon secured  the  interest  of  the  Hon.  Welbore  Ellis, 
one  of  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty,  through  which  Mr. 
Browne  procured  ordination,  and  soon  after  commenced 
his  ministry  as  curate  to  Mr.  Hervej  at  CoUingtree.  He, 
however,  first  repaired  to  Ashby,  and  preached  effective- 
ly to  the  people  there,  and  assisted  her  domestic  chaplain 
in  his  duties  at  her  house ;  and  frequently  preached  for 
Mr.  Madan  at  the  Lock." 

The  health  of  Lady  Huntingdon  still  continued  very 
feeble.  After  rallying  for  a  short  time,  toward  the  close 
of  the  year  she  gradually  declined.  Her  friends  were 
very  anxious  on  her  behalf.  Dr.  Doddridge  expressed 
his  fear  that  they  would  soon  lose  her  ;  and  Mr.  Hervey 
wrote  for  tidings  of  her  health,  ^'for  never  "  he  remarks 
''  will  the  physicians'  skill  be  employed  for  the  lengthen- 
ing of  a  more  valuable  life."  At  the  beginning  of  1751, 
her  illness  became  so  alarming,  that  Whitefield  Avas 
immediately  sent  for.  He  rode  post  to  Ashby,  not 
knowing  whether  he  could  be  in  time  to  see  Lady 
Huntingdon  alive.     He  found  the  house  one  of  gloom  and 


130         M  E  M  O  I  E     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

sadness.  Death  had  entered,  and  carried  off  his  victim. 
A  fever  had  prostrated  her  daughter,  Lady  Selina  ;  the 
Countess  was  brought  to  the  door  of  death ;  and  a  few 
hours  before  her  chaplain  arrived,  Lady  Frances  Hastings 
had  been  suddenly  snatched  away.  Her  death  was  a 
translation  to  glory ;  she  smiled  sweetly  on  those  who 
were  around  her,  and  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  without  a  groan. 
The  Countess  bore  up  under  the  trial,  and  thought  only 
of  her  own  speedy  dismissal ;  but  her  Master  had  yet 
much  work  for  her  to  do.  He  gradually  brought  her  out 
of  danger,  and  restored  her  daughter  to  health.  He  sent 
his  Spirit  to  dry  up  the  mourner's  tears,  and  caused  the 
sad  event  to  produce  humility  and  resignation  to  Him  in 
all  things.  Whitefield  says,  in  a  letter  to  Lady  Mary 
Hamilton,  dated  Ashby,  January  30th,  1751 : — 

"I  got  safe  to  Ashby,  where  I  found  good  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon very  sick,  though  I  trust  not  unto  death.  All 
advise  her  Ladyship  to  take  a  journey  to  Bristol,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  waters,  which  her  Ladyship  seems  determi- 
ned to  do.  The  death  of  Lady  Frances  has  not  affected 
her  Ladyship  so  as  to  hurt  her.  She  rejoices  at  the 
thought  of  her  sister  being  so  quickly  translated  out  of 
this  house  of  bondage  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons 
of  God.  Her  death  was  a  translation  indeed.  Her 
Ladyship  died  without  a  groan.  She  seemed,  as  it  were, 
to  smile  at  death  ;  and  may  be  said,  I  trust  truly,  "  to  fall 
asleep  in  Jesus."  Ere  long,  she  and  all  that  sleep  in 
Jesus,  shall  come  with  him.  I  hope  it  hath  been  a 
purging  time  in  this  family.  Almost  all  have  been  sick 
in  their  turns.  Lady  Selina  has  had  a  fever,  but  is 
better.  Lady  Betty  is  more  affected  than  ever  I  saw  her. 
A  letter  now  from  one  of  the  young  ladies,  I  hope  would 
do  service.  Lady  Anne  bears  up  pretty  well,  but  Miss 
Wheeler*  is  inconsolable.     It  is  a  house  of  mourning ; 

*  Niece  of  Lady  Huntiugdou. 


DEATH  OF  LADY  FRANCES.       131 

that  is  better  tlian  a  house  of  feasting.  The  corpse  is  to 
bo  interred  on  Friday  evening.  May  all  that  follow  it 
look  and  learn  !  I  mean,  learn  to  live,  and  learn  to  die." 

Lady  Frances  Hastings  died  January  23rd,  1751,  in 
the  fity -eighth  year  of  her  age.  She  was  to  all  a  pattern 
of  humility,  sincerity,  and  heavenly  mindedness.  Her 
piety  was  deep  and  genuine,  her  manners  graceful  and 
obliging,  and  her  disposition  cheerful  and  happy.  She 
was  a  great  friend  to  the  poor  :  who  deeply  lamented  her 
death,  and  attended  her  funeral  in  large  numbers.  When 
her  remains  were  placed  beside  those  of  her  ancestors  in 
the  church  of  Ashby,  Whitefield  preached  a  most  pathetic 
and  thrilling  sermon  from  these  beautiful  words  : — 
''Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from 
henceforth ;  yea  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from 
their  labours,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 


132        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 


CHAPTER  YIII.    A.  D.  1751—1753. 

LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  BRISTOL. — DEATH  OF  THE  PRINCE 
OF  WALES: — HIS  RELIGIOUS  SENTIMENTS. — THE  COUN- 
TESS AT  CHELTENHAM;  BATH. — WARBURTON. — DEATH 
OF  DR.  DODDRIDGE. — DR.  OLIVER. — FAITH. — DEATH  OF 
LORD  BOLINGBROKE  I  HIS  WRITINGS,  FAMILY. — LADY 
HUNTINGDON  IN  LONDON. — MARRIAGE  OF  HER  DAUGH- 
TER TO  BARON  RAWDON. — THE  COUNTESS  AT  BATH. — 
BEAU  NASH. — HERVEY'S  '' THERON  AND  ASPASIO." — 
LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  CLIFTON. — THE  NEW  TABERNA- 
CLE, MOORFIELDS. — BRISTOL   TABERNACLE   OPENED. 

Whitefield  could  not  stay  long  witli  her  Ladyship  at 
Ashby.  The  illness  of  his  wife  suddenly  called  him  to 
London,  where  he  arrived  the  first  week  in  Febuary  1751. 
Before  his  departure  he  wrote  to  Dr.  Stonhouse,  and 
urged  him  to  use  his  influence  to  induce  Mr.  Hartley  to 
come  without  delay  to  Ashby ;  but  as  the  latter  was 
unable  to  leave  his  parish,  the  Doctor  himself  came,  and 
remained  with  her  Ladyship  until  she  was  sufficiently 
recovered  to  remove  to  the  Hot-Wells,  Bristol.  He  also 
prevailed  upon  Dr.  Doddridge  to  pay  her  a  visit  during 
his  stay  there.  They  were  actively  engaged  in  the  work 
of  the  Lord ;  every  evening  they  preached  alternately  ; 
and  occasionally  administered  the  sacrament.  Dr.  Ston- 
house was  then  in  a  state  of  doubt  and  anxiety.  The 
letters  of  Whitefield  and  others  had  urged  him  to  come 
boldly  out  and  preach  the  gospel ;  but  he  had  such  a 
dread  of  the  world's  sneers,  and  of  being  branded  as  a 
Methodist,    that   he   hesitated   to    take   a   decided   step. 


BRISTOL.  133 

During  tliis  visit,  lier  Ladyship  and  Dr.  Doddridge  spoke 
to  him  so  faithful!}^,  that  the  poor  man  burst  into  tears, 
and  appeared  to  be  in  great  distress.  Early  in  March, 
her  Ladyship  was  sufficiently  restored  to  proceed  with 
her  family  to  Bristol,  where  she  again  took  up  her  resi- 
dence at  the  house  of  Whitefield's  brother.  She  bore  the 
journey  much  better  than  was  anticipated,  notwithstand- 
ing the  wretched  roads  through  which  she  passed  ;  and 
derived  much  benefit  from  the  change.  A  few  days  after 
her  arrival,  she  was  agreeably  surprised  by  a  visit  from 
her  chaplain,  who  had  been  preaching  in  Gloucestershire 
with  his  accustomed  energy  and  success.  After  spending 
a  few  days  with  her,  and  witnessing  the  beneficial  effects 
of  the  waters  in  recruiting  her  health,  he  resolved  to 
itinerate  in  Devonshire,  and  wrote,  by  her  request,  to 
Mr.  Hervey  to  prevail  upon  him  to  supply  his  place  in 
her  Ladj^ship's  circle.  His  precarious  state  of  health 
prevented  his  compliance  ;  and  A¥hitefield  then  wrote  to 
Mr.  Hartley,  and  enclosed  a  letter  from  the  Countess, 
requesting  him  to  come  to  Bristol  immediately.  ''It 
would  much  refresh  her,  and,  I  believe,  be  very  agreeable 
to  you.  Some  pulpits  would  be  open  to  you,  and  who 
knows  but  you  might  catch  some  great  fish  in  the  gospel 
net."  He  came,  and  preached  several  times  in  the  neigh- 
bouring churches  with  much  acceptance.  When  White- 
field  returned  from  his  excursion,  he  found  that  Mr. 
Daniel  Rowlands  a  celebrated  Welsh  clergyman,  had 
arrived  on  a  visit  to  her  Ladyship,  a  few  days  before. 
They  immediately  commenced  their  united  services  in  the 
open  air,  and  preached  to  the  vast  crowds  which  attended 
them ;  and  many  notoriously  wicked  persons  were  induced 
to  forsalvic  their  profligate  ways,  and  turn  unto  the  Lord. 
The  Countess  was  highly  delighted  with  the  sight  of  the 
multitudes  listening  to  the  gospel,  and  mingled  her  joy 
with  that  of  those  pure  spirits  who  rejoice  over  one  sinner 
that  repenteth.     She  blessed  the  Lord  for  the  affliction 

12 


134:  MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

which  brought  her  to  Bristol,  and  remarked,  with  her 
chaplain,  that  she  often  found  Luther's  words  truly  ap- 
plicable to  herself : — "  He  was  never  employed  about  any 
fresh  work,  but  he  was  either  visited  with  a  fit  of  illness, 
or  some  violent  temptations." 

Lady  Huntingdon  at  this  time  received  a  shock,  in 
common  with  many  in  high  life,  by  the  unexpected  death 
of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  who  died  of  pleurisy,  March  20, 
1751.  Ever  since  his  unhappy  difference  with  his  father, 
George  II.,  he  had  formed  his  own  party,  kept  his  own 
court,  and  placed  himself  in  opposition  to  the  Govern- 
ment. His  literary  tastes  and  patronage  collected  arouud 
him  the  most  distinguished  literati  of  the  day,  among 
whom  were  Swift,  Pope,  and  Thomson.  The  rising 
statesmen  crowded  to  his  court ;  Pitt,  Lyttleton,  and  the 
Grenvilles  were  his  associates ;  and  Lord  Bolingbroke 
was  his  chief  adviser.  Lady  Huntingdon  had  frequently 
attended  his  court,  and  had  received  the  most  marked 
attention  from  the  Prince  ;  and  Lord  Huntingdon,  Lord 
Ferrars,  and  many  of  her  relatives  and  friends  were  his 
political  supporters.  He  was  a  prince  of  amiable  and 
generous  disposition,  elegant  manners,  considerable  tal- 
ents, and  liberal  principles.  He  appointed  Mr.,  afterwards 
Lord,  Lyttleton,  her  Ladyship's  intimate  friend,  his  prin- 
cipal secretary,  and  Dr.  Ayscougb  the  preceptor  to  his 
children.  The  latter  gentleman  was  introduced  by  Lady 
Huntingdon  to  Dr.  Doddridge,  who  was  prevailed  upon 
by  her  Ladyship  to  present  his  work  on  "  TJie  Rise  and 
Progress  of  Religion,''^  to  the  Princess  of  Wales  through 
Dr.  Ayscough  ;  for  which  he  received  the  special  thanks 
of  her  Eoyal  Highness.  These  two  distinguished  men 
corresponded  with  each  other ;  and  Dr.  Ayscough  says  in 
one  of  his  letters  to  him,  that  the  young  prince,  afterwards 
George  III.,  has  ''learned  several  pages  in  your  little 
book  of  verses  without  any  directions  from  me." 

The   Countess   was   deeply   anxious   to   ascertain    the 


PRINCE    OF     WALES.  135 

religious  feelings  and  sentiments  of  the  Prince  of  Wales 
at  the  close  of  his  life.  He  had  always  manifested  a 
regard  to  the  outward  propriety  and  decorum  of  religion. 
Amidst  the  blaze  of  his  splendid  court,  where  the  mar- 
vellous religious  excitement  among  the  great  was  a 
frequent  topic  of  conversation,  he  always  insisted  on  the 
necessity  and  value  of  religion  ;  and  more  than  once 
rebuked  the  sarcasms  which  were  indulged  in,  chiefly  at 
the  expense  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  Her  Lad3^ship,  there- 
fore, wrote  to  Mr.  Lyttleton  for  what  information  he  could 
give  her  ;  and  though  the  particulars  were  few,  they  were 
so  far  satisfactory.  It  appears  that  the  Prince  looked 
upon  the  rise  and  growth  of  Methodism  with  a  very 
friendly  eye,  and  was  very  anxious  to  know  what  were 
the  distinguishing  doctrines  they  held.  He  had  frequent 
arguments  with  Lord  Bolingbroke  respecting  it,  who 
considered  that  he  was  fast  verging  towards  embracing 
it ;  and  he  went  more  than  once  to  hear  Whitefield,  with 
whom  he  was  highly  pleased,  and  would,  had  he  lived, 
have  attempted  to  honour  him  with  his  favour.  He  was 
also  in  the  habit  of  reading  the  works  of  Doddridge, 
wdiich  had  been  presented  to  the  Princess,  and  expressed 
his  approbation  of  them  in  the  highest  terms. 

Dr.  Doddridge  had  been  for  many  years  employed  on 
his  ^^  Family  Expositor,''''  which  he  was  publishing  by 
subscription.  Few  persons  made  greater  exertions  to 
circulate  the  work  than  Lady  Huntingdon,  She  had  a 
warm  attachment  to  the  author,  and  a  high  opinion  of 
the  work  ;  and  most  earnestly  prayed  the  Lord  to  j)rolong 
his  valuable  life,  and  to  give  him  strength  and  abilities 
for  the  completion  of  "  a  work  so  calculated  to  promote 
the  glory  of  His  name,  and  the  everlasting  good  of 
mankind.''  Her  friend  Mr.  Lyttleton  was  very  active  in 
securing  for  it  an  extensive  circulation  ;  but  a  dangerous 
illness  seized  him,  and  retarded  the  appearance  of  the 
volumes.     On  his  recovery,  he  renewed  his  exertions,  and 


136  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

forwarded  to  her  Ladyship  a  long  list  of  I'resh  subscribers  * 
and  by  his  influence  he  introduced  the  work  into  many 
families,  where  otherwise  it  would  never  have  entered. 
Mr.  Lyttleton  shortly  afterwards  had  the  misfortune  to 
lose  his  father,  Sir  Thomas  Lyttleton,  an  intimate  friend 
of  the  late  Earl  of  Huntingdon.  The  Duchess  of  Bridge- 
w^ater,  who  had  attended  the  services  at  the  house  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  in  London,  and  Dr.  Ayscough,  son-in  law  of 
the  deceased  baronet,  wrote  to  the  Countess,  and  presented 
some  particulars  of  his  last  moments.  The  work  of  Dod- 
dridge on  Religion  was  much  blessed  to  him,  and  he  recom- 
mended it  to  his  children  just  before  his  departure.  His 
son  George  read  and  prayed  around  the  bed  of  his  dying 
parent,  and  treasured  up  his  last  words,  '^  My  dear  child, 
I  feel  that  God  my  Saviour  has  pardoned  all  my  sins  ;  and 
from  what  you  have  just  read,  that  his  blood  cleanseth 
from  all  iniquity,  I  derive  great  comfort,  for  he  is  my 
only,  only  hope." 

The  health  of  Lady  Huntingdon  was  greatly  invigora- 
ted by  her  residence  at  Bristol.  Mrs.  Whitefield  had 
spent  some  time  with  her,  and  on  her  return  to  London 
in  June,  told  Mr.  Hervey  at  the  Tabernacle  house  that 
the  good  Countess'  health  was  very  much  restored,  and 
that,  to  use  her  own  expression,  ''She  was  charmingly 
well."  From  a  letter  of  the  Dachess  of  Somerset,  dated 
July  9th,  1751,  it  appears  that  her  Ladj^shiphad  removed 
to  Cheltenham,  and  was  in  good  health.  She  did  not, 
however,  stay  long  there,  but  visited  Bath  the  end  of 
August  on  a  deeply  interesting  mission.  The  consump- 
tive disease,  from  which  Dr.  Doddridge  had  long  suffered, 
had  made  such  rapid  progress,  that  Dr.  Stonhouse  recom- 
mended him  to  try  a  voyage  to  Lisbon.  He  had  been  to 
Shrewsbury,  for  the  benefit  of  the  air  and  exercise ;  and 
spent  some  weeks  at  Bristol,  where  his  kind  friends  did 
every  thing  to  cheer  his  mind  and  recruit  his  health. 
As  the  worthy  doctor  hesitated  to  take  the  journey  to 


ILLNESS     OF     DR.     DODDRIDGE.  137 

Portugal,  lest  the  necessary  expense  should  involve  his 
family  in  difficulties,  Lady  Huntingdon,  with  that  noble 
generosity  which  distinguished  her  character,  collected 
among  her  friends  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds,  of 
which  she  contributed  one  hundred  pounds,  and  placed  it 
in  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Doddridge.  She  manifested  the 
greatest  sympathy  towards  the  sufferer,  and  expressed 
herself  truly  grateful  that  she  was  able  to  administer  to 
the  external  comfort  of  one  of  God's  dear  servants.  Nor 
was  this  all.  On  the  17th  of  September,  1751,  Dr.  Dodd- 
ridge left  Bristol,  and  became  the  guest  of  the  Countess 
at  Bath,  till  his  departure  for  Falmouth.  Her  time  and 
attention  were  taken  up  with  him;  she  provided  for  him 
every  comfort  that  could  be  procured  ;  and  cheered  him 
with  her  pious  and  animated  conversation. 

Dr.  Doddridge  met  with  many  kind  friends  during  his 
stay  at  her  Ladyship's  residence.  Between  him  and  Dr. 
Warburton.  there  had  existed  a  long  friendship,  which 
even  the  violence  of  the  latter  towards  the  Methodists 
did  not  impair.  Dr.  Oliver  was  his  physician  ;  and  Mr. 
Allen,  Dr.  Hartley,  then  in  the  height  of  his  reputation 
as  a  physician  in  Bath,  and  Pope  frequently  visited  him. 
Their  disputes  respecting  Whitefield,  who  had  just  em- 
barked on  his  fourth  voyage  to  America,  frequently  ran 
high  and  vehement.  On  one  occasion,  when  her  Lady- 
ship was  dining  at  Prior  Park,  the  conversation  happened- 
to  turn  on  her  chaplain.  Dr.  Hartley  spoke  of  his  abili- 
ties with  the  warmest  admiration,  and  supported  the  doc- 
trines he  preached.  Warburton  replied,  "  Of  his  orato- 
rical powers,  and  their  astonishing  influence  on  the  minds 
of  thousands  there  can  be  no  doubt;  they  are  of  a  high 
order :  but  with  respect  to  his  doctrines,  I  consider  them 
pernicious  and  false."  An  animated  debate  ensued ;  and 
Dr.  Hartley  defended  Whitefield  against  the  aspersions 
of  his  antagonist,  and  proved  that  his  doctrines  were  in 
accordance  with  the  Articles  of  the  Established  Church, 

12* 


138         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDON. 

and  witli  the  Confessions  of  Faith  of  all  the  Eeformed 
Churches  of  Christendom.  Lady  Huntingdon,  Dr.  Oliver, 
and  Mr.  Allen  concurred  with  him ;  and  Warburton 
unable  to  restrain  his  malignity  against  the  Methodists, 
rose  up  hastily,  and  abruptly  left  the  room. 

On  the  morning  of  the  day  on  Avhich  Dr.  Doddridge 
set  out  from  Bath  to  Falmouth,  Lady  Huntingdon  came 
into  his  room,  and  found  him  weeping  over  the  passage 
in  Daniel  x.,  11,  12.  ''You  are  in  tears,  Sir,"  said  her 
Ladj^ship.  ''  I  arn  weeping,  madam,"  answered  the  Doc- 
tor, "  but  they  are  tears  of  comfort  and  joy ;  I  can  give 
up  my  country,  my  relations,  my  friends  into  the  hands 
of  God  ;  and  as  to  myself  I  can  as  well  go  to  heaven  from 
Lisbon  as  from  my  own  study  at  Northampton."  His 
friends  j^arted  with  him  without  the  slightest  expectation 
of  seeing  him  again  in  this  life.  He  embarked  Septem- 
ber 80th,  and  landed  at  Lisbon  October  13th,  1751.  He 
was  then  in  a  dying  condition ;  and  he  lingered  a  few 
days  before  his  happy  spirit  took  its  joyful  flight  to  the 
mansions  of  glory,  to  receive  the  welcome  from  his  Mas- 
ter, and  to  meet  those  who  will  be  his  crown  of  rejoicing- 
His  remains  were  interred  in  the  burying  ground  belong- 
ing to  the  British  factory  at  Lisbon;  and  a  handsome 
monument  was  erected  by  his  congregation  to  his  memo- 
ry at  Northampton.  The  news  of  his  decease,  though 
expected,  cast  a  gloom  over  many  circles.  His  warm  and 
attached  friend  Dr.  Stonhouse  early  communicated  the 
intelligence  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  who  says,  ''The  death 
of  my  dear  lamented  Doddridge  has  affected  my  heart  in 
a  very  uncommon  manner,  and  I  am  often  melted  into 
tears  when  I  reflect  upon  his  unspeakable  loss  to  the 
Church  and  the  world."  She  bowed  submissively  to  the 
stroke,  and  felt  that  the  event  only  formed  a  stronger  in- 
ducement to  labour  more  earnestly  for  Christ,  while  her 
life  was  daily  prolonged. 

The  serenity  and   divine  happiness,  which  Doddridge 


DEATH     OF      DR.     OLIVER.  139 

enjoyed  in  tlie  prospect  of  death,  formed  a  strange  con- 
trast to  the  condition  of  his  friend  and  physician  at  Bath, 
Dr.  Oliver.  He  had  acquired  a  large  fortune  by  his 
profession,  but  remained  an  infidel  till  within  a  short  time 
of  his  death.  In  his  last  illness,  a  strong  conviction  of  the 
truth  took  possession  of  his  mind ;  and  Lady  Huntingdon 
said  she  never  saw  a  person  more  thoroughly  humbled, 
distressed,  and  broken  in  heart.  She  visited  him  a  few 
days  before  lie  died,  when  he  deeply  lamented  his  past 
infidelity,  and  his  zeal  and  success  in  seducing  the  minds 
of  others.  ''  0 !  that  I  could  undo  the  mischief  I  have 
done,"  he  exclaimed,  "I  was  more  ardent  to  poison  people 
with  the  principles  of  irreligion  and  unbelief,  than  almost 
any  Christian  can  be  to  spread  the  doctrines  of  Christ." 
''Cheer  up,"  replied  her  Ladyship,  "Jesus,  the  great 
sacrifice  for  sin,  atoned  for  the  sins  of  the  second  table  as 
well  as  for  those  of  the  first."  ''God  certainly  cfw?,"  he 
answered,  "  but  I  fear  he  never  will  pardon  such  a  wretch 
as  I."  "  You  may  fear  it  at  present,"  said  Lady  Hunting- 
don, "  but  you  and  I  shall  most  certainly  meet  each  other 
in  heaven."  The  doctor  exclaimed,  "  0  woman !  great  is 
thy  faith  !  my  faith  cannot  believe  that  I  shall  ever  be 
there."  Light  soon  after  broke  in  upon  him ;  and  he 
departed  praising  God  for  his  unspeakable  grace. 

The  intelligence  of  the  decease  of  Dr.  Doddridge  was 
quickly  followed  by  that  of  the  death  of  Lord  Boling- 
broke.  He  had  suffered  severely  from  a  cancer  in  the 
cheek-bone,  and  unwisely  relinquished  the  services  of  a 
most  accomplished  surgeon  for  those  of  a  notorious  quack. 
He  died  in  an  awful  manner,  December  15th,  1751.  His 
friendship  for  the  Huntingdon  family  was  sincere  and 
affectionate ;  and  to  the  day  of  his  death,  he  expressed 
his  admiration  of  the  talents  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  and 
her  devotedness  to  the  cause  of  religion.  He  was  seldom 
in  her  society  without  conversing  with  her  on  some 
religious  topic,  and  always  paid  great  attention  to  the 


140         ME  MO  IK     OF     LADY     HUX-TINGDON. 

remarks  she  made.  On  one  occasion  he  asked,  "  Ilow 
does  your  Ladyship  reconcile  prayer  to  God  for  particular 
blessings,  with  absolute  resignation  to  the  divine  will  ?  " 
"Very  easily,"  replied  the  Countess,  "just  as  if  I  was  to 
offer  a  petition  to  a  monarch,  of  whose  kindness  and 
wisdom  I  have  the  highest  opinion.  In  such  a  case  my 
language  would  be — '  I  wish  you  to  bestow  on  me  such 
a  favour ;  but  your  Majesty  knows  better  than  I  how  far 
it  would  be  agreeable  to  you,  or  right  in  itself  to  grant 
my  desire.  I,  therefore,  content  myself  with  humbly 
presenting  my  petition,  and  leave  the  event  of  it  entirely 
to  you.' " 

His  Lordship's  family  were  on  terms  of  great  intimacy 
with  Lady  Huntingdon.  His  second  wife,  the  Marchio- 
ness of  Villetta,  a  woman  of  superior  accomplishments, 
and  niece  to  the  celebrated  Madame  de  Maintenon,  often 
attended  the  preaching  of  Whitefield  at  her  residence ; 
but  his  only  sister.  Lady  Luxborough,  the  patroness  of 
the  poet  Shenstone,  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  listen 
to  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel.  Her  time  was  complete- 
ly occupied  with  poets  and  literary  acquaintances  ;  and 
she  passed  her  life  amid  the  exciting  scenes  of  fashiona- 
ble society,  and  gave  no  attention  to  the  concerns  of  her 
soul.  Lady  Huntingdon  took  a  deep  interest  in  her  wel- 
fare, and  often  attempted  to  direct  her  thoughts  to  the 
serious  consideration  of  religion.  "  Of  Lord  Bolingbroke 
and  the  Marchioness,"  she  says,  "I  sometimes  have  a 
hope  ;  they  attend  with  such  regularity,  and  hear  with 
such  apparent  attention."  Her  hope,  however,  was  never 
realized.  Lord  Bolingbroke  gave  orders  that  none  of  the 
clergy  should  be  permitted  to  trouble  him  in  his  last  mo- 
ments, and  died  in  the  deistical  principles  which  he  had 
always  avowed.  His  sister  died  a  few  years  after ;  and 
Lady  Huntingdon  deeply  lamented  her  end.  "  Unhappy 
woman!  how  insensible  has  she  been  to  the  many 
alarmino:  calls  of  Providence  which  she  lias  received  from 


WORKS     OF     LORD     BOLINGBEOKE.  14:1 

time  to  time.  Siicli  repeated  deaths  in  her  family,  the 
awful  end  of  her  brother,  Lord  Bolingbroke,  made  no 
impression  on  her;  and  she  left  this  world,  as  she  had 
always  lived,  intoxicated  with  the  vanity  of  her  numer- 
ous accomplishments  and  literary  acquirements." 

Two  years  after  the  death  of  Lord  Bolingbroke,  his 
works  were  published  by  David  Mallet,  a  determined  in- 
fidel, and  a  man  of  worthless  character,  who  had  ingra- 
tiated himself  into  his  favour  by  infamously  blackening 
the  memory  of  Pope.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  well  aware 
of  the  character  of  the  writings  of  the  deceased  noble- 
man, and  made  some  fruitless  attempts  to  prevent  their 
publication.  She  wrote  to  Mr.  Mallet,  and  used  her  in- 
fluence with  Lord  Chesterfield  and  others,  to  try  if  possi- 
ble to  suppress  what  she  knew  would  prove  so  detrimen- 
tal to  society.  His  works  were  refuted  by  a  number  of 
learned  men.  Bishops  Clayton  and  AYarburton,  and  Dr. 
L eland  entered  the  lists  against  him;  and  Mr.  Hervey 
dedicated  to  Lady  Fanny  Shirley  his  answer  to  the  attack 
on  religion  contained  in  the  '^  Study  and  Use  of  History.^'' 
Dr.  Johnson  pronounced  this  memorable  verdict  on  the 
noble  author,  and  his  editor,  "  Sir,  he  was  a  scoundrel  and 
a  coward ;  a  scoundrel,  for  charging  a  blunderbuss 
against  religion  and  morality;  a  coward,  because  he  had 
31  ot  resolution  to  fire  it  off  himself,  but  left  half-a-crown 
to  a  beggarly  Scotchman  to  draw  the  trigger  after  his 
death!" 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  the  early  part  of  1752  in  Lon- 
don, where  her  residence  was  crowded  by  the  nobility  and 
the  poor  to  hear  the  gospel.  Her  eldest  daughter.  Lady 
Elizabeth  Hastings,  had  been  betrothed  to  Baron  Rawdon, 
afterwards  first  Earl  of  Moira,  and  was  in  this  year  uni- 
ted to  him.  He  was  cousin-german  to  the  Countess ;  and 
at  the  death  of  the  young  Earl  of  Huntingdon  in  1789 
obtained  possession  of  the  baronies  connected  with  her 


142         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Ladyship's  family.     The  Duchess  of  Somerset,  writing  to 
a  friend,  sstjs : — 

''Lady  Eawdon's  marriage  has  given  unmingled  satisfac- 
tion to  all  her  family  and  friends,  and  Lady  Huntingdon 
tells  me  she  is  extremely  happy  and  contented.  I  rejoice 
at  this,  not  only  on  her  account,  but  on  account  of  her 
worthy  mother,  who  has  certainly  done  her  duty  by  her, 
and  fulfilled  her  trust  with  the  most  scrupulous  fidelity. 
Lady  Selina  is  a  great  comfort  to  her,  and  is  a  most  ami- 
able, pious,  and  affectionate  character.  What  an  affliction 
is  Lord  Huntingdon's  dislike  to  religion !  and  what  have 
not  my  Lords  Chesterfield  and  Bolingbroke  to  answer  for? 
but  he  is  most  attentive,  respectful,  and  kind  to  Lady 
Huntingdon.  This  is  some  consolation;  and  we  may 
hope,  that  in  the  course  of  time,  her  example,  and  the 
excellent  advice  which  he  has  received,  may  have  their 
full  weight  of  influence  on  his  character.  He  is  a  most 
interesting,  elegant,  and  accomplished  young  nobleman, 
and  very  likely  to  make  some  figure  in  the  world.  He 
was  much  affected  at  the  death  of  Miss  Hotham,  to  whom 
he  is  said  to  have  been  greatly  attached ;  but  of  this  I 
cannot  speak  with  certainty,  as  Lady  Huntingdon  has 
never  mentioned  it  to  me." 

Lady  Huntingdon  shortly  after,  retired  to  Bristol  and 
Bath,  where  she  was  joined  by  Whitefield,  who  had  lately 
returned  from  America.  He  arrived  at  Bath,  June  22nd, 
and  remained  three  weeks,  preaching  every  evening  to 
large  numbers  of  the  nobility.  He  here  first  became 
acquainted  with  Mrs.  Grinfield,  a  lady  who  waited  on 
Queen  Caroline,  and  who  had  been  awakened  through  the 
instrumentality  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  The  Countess  was 
acquainted  with  Beau  Nash,  the  celebrated  Master  of  the 
Ceremonies  at  Bath,  who  sometimes  conversed  with  her 
on  religious  subjects,  and  was  once  prevailed  upon  to 
hear   Whitoficld  at  her  house.     Ho  was  com2;ratulatod  on 


BEAU     NASH.  143 

his  conversion  by  his  gay  associates,  who  rallied  him  on 
his  turning  Methodist.  Verses  were  written  on  her  Lady- 
ship and  Nash,  and  were  fastened  to  the  walls  of  the 
pump-room  and  the  assembly-room;  and  printed  notices 
were  circulated  in  every  direction,  announcing  that  ''the 
Countess  of  Huntingdon,  attended  by  some  saintly  sister, 
purposed  preaching  at  the  pump-room  the  following 
morning,  and  that  Mr  Nash,  henceforth  to  be  known  as 
the  Bev.  Richard  Nash,  was  expected  to  preach  in  the 
evening  at  the  assembly-room."  It  was  hoped  that  the 
audience  would  be  numerous,  as  a  collection  was  intended 
for  the  late  Master  of  the  Ceremonies,  on  his  retirement 
from  office.  This  affair  gave  great  offence  to  Beau  Nash ; 
he  never  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  go  to  Lady  Hunting- 
don's house  again  ;  and  he  passed  his  old  age  in  vice  and 
pleasure,  and  trembled  when  he  saw  the  approach  of  death, 
in  the  eighty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  1761.  Whitefield 
spent  four  days  at  Bristol,  and  then  journeyed  through  the 
Welsh  circuit :  and  in  the  space  of  a  fortnight,  travelled 
three  hundred  miles,  and  preached  twenty  times  to  very 
large  congregations.  Lady  Huntingdon  continued  her 
residence  at  Bath  for  a  considerable  time,  and  employed 
her  talents  and  opportunities  in  promoting  the  interests 
of  religion. 

At  this  period  Mr.  Hervey  was  much  occupied  with  his 
admirable  work  entitled  ''  Theron  and  AspasioJ^  He  had 
submitted  the  manuscript  pages  to  Whitefield,  and  asked 
his  opinion  of  them ;  who  says,  "  For  me  to  play  the 
critic  on  them  would  be  like  holding  up  a  candle  to  the 
sun."  Lady  Huntingdon  was  an  ardent  admirer  of  the 
writings  of  Mr.  Hervey.  She  had  read  his  ''Meditations''' 
with  great  pleasure  and  profit,  and  had  much  enjoyed 
his  society,  and  his  spiritual  conversation  at  her  house. 
Anything,  therefore,  which  came  from  his  pen  would  bo 
perused  by  her  with  attention  and  delight.  He  wrote  a 
long  letter  to  her  Ladyship,  in  which  he  says  : — 


144  MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

"  Your  Ladyship  is  pleased  to  express  a  wish  that  I 
should  proceed  without  delay  in  finishing  my  intended 
work.  Be  assured  your  wishes.  Madam,  have  all  the 
force  of  a  command  with  me.  I  send  you  the  first  four 
dialogues,  beseeching  you  to  peruse  them,  not  with  the 
partiality  of  a  friend,  but  the  severity  of  a  critic.  The 
like  request  I  have  made  to  others,  and  have  received 
their  friendly  corrections.  I  am  deeply  sensible  of  my 
own  deficiencies,  and  in  order,  therefore,  to  render  my 
work,  if  possible,  fit  for  public  view — meet  for  the  Mas- 
ter's use — I  shall  feel  obliged  by  any  corrections  and 
improvements  which  your  pen  may  make.  Your  Lady- 
ship is  at  liberty  to  show  the  manuscript  to  whom  you 
please.  Your  remarks  and  those  of  your  friends,  may 
supply  the  sterility  of  my  invention,  and  the  poverty  of 
my  language." 

Lady  Huntingdon  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  progress 
and  success  of  the  work.  She  showed  the  manuscript  to 
her  most  distinguished  acquaintances,  and  discussed  its 
merits  with  those  ministers  and  friends  who  met  at  her 
residence.  The  opinions  expressed  were  diversified. 
Some  admired  his  style  of  writing,  to  which  others 
objected,  as  too  florid  and  laboured  ;  though  all  admitted 
that  the  doctrines  expounded  were  vital  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity, except  Mr.  Hartley,  who  objected  to  the  doctrine 
of  the  imputed  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  gave  it  as  his 
opinion,  that  it  would  be  better  to  suppress,  than  to 
publish  the  work.  Mr.  Hervey  wished  to  obtain  permis- 
sion to  dedicate  the  work  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  but  she 
declined  the  honor  ;  and,  in  a  letter  to  her,  he  says  : — 

''  Accept  my  thanks  for  taking  the  trouble  of  perusing 
my  very  imperfect  manuscript,  and  my  grateful  acknowl- 
edgments for  the  improving  touches  and  remarks  you 
have  made,  as  well  as  for  those  of  your  highly  valuable 
friends  and  acquaintances.     The  corrections   you  have 


MR.   hervey's    letters.  14:5 

done  me  tlie  honour  to  transmit  will  be  exceedingly 
beneficial  to  tbe  work,  and  render  it  more  acceptable  to 
the  public  in  general.  But  I  confess  I  feel  disappointed 
at  your  Ladyship's  declining  to  patronize  the  public 
attempt  of  my  pen  ;  nevertheless  your  observations  are  so 
sensible  and  just,  and  carry  with  them  so  much  weight, 
that  I  cannot  think  of  pressing  the  matter  on  your 
attention,  further  than  to  solicit  your  prayers  for  the 
success  of  the  undertaking,  and  for  the  unworthy  author." 

During  his  stay  in  London,  Mr.  Hervey  had  preached 
several  times  at  the  residence  of  Lady  Fanny  Shirley, 
with  whom  he  maintained  an  uninterrupted  correspond- 
ence until  his  death.  He  became  a  great  favourite  with 
her  Ladyship,  and  obtained  her  consent  to  dedicate  his 
new  work  to  her.  Through  her  influence,  it  was  intro- 
duced to  the  notice  of  Eoyalty :  for  he  says,  "  I  should 
never  have  been  known  to  such  grand  personages,  if  you 
had  not  condescended  to  introduce  me.  My  name  bad 
never  been  heard  by  a  royal  ear,  if  it  had  not  received 
some  credit  by  your  Ladyship's  notice."  It  was  at  her 
request  Mr.  Hervey  drew  up  his  "Letter^''  containing  his 
remarks  on  Lord  Bolingbroke's  "Letters  on  the  Study  and 
Use  of  History,''^  which  was  addressed  to  her  Ladyship. 

In  December  1752,  Lady  Huntingdon  changed  her 
residence  to  Clifton,  where  Charles  Wesley  had  lately 
fixed  his  abode,  after  his-  marriage  with  the  daughter  of 
M.  Gwynne,  Esq.,  of  Garth.  Mrs.  Wesley  was  a  lady  of 
good  sense,  piety,  and  agreeable  accomplishments ;  with 
whom  Lady  Huntingdon  formed  an  intimate  friendship, 
which  continued  till  her  death.  Mr.  C.  Wesley  was  often 
at  her  house,  where  he  frequently  preached  and  adminis- 
tered the  sacrament  to  many  distinguished  persons. 
AVhitefield  was,  at  this  time,  in  the  midst  of  his  labours 
in  London,  though  he  still  kept  up  his  regular  corres- 
pondence with  the  Countess.     He  was  constantly  engaged 

13 


146         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

at  the  residence  of  Lady  Fanny  Shirley,  in  South  Audley- 
Street;  preaching  the  gospel  and  administering  the  sacra- 
ment. His  Tabernacle  at  Moorfields  was  crowded,  and 
was  far  too  small  to  accommodate  the  persons  who 
flocked  to  it.  During  his  visit  to  Ashby,  Lady  Hunting- 
don suggested  to  him  the  erection  of  a  larger  edifice,  to 
which  she  promised  to  contribute,  and  to  use  her  influence 
with  her  friends  to  secure  their  support.  Lady  Fanny 
Shirley  now  joined  in  urging,  that  active  steps  should  be 
immediately  taken  to  carry  out  the  design.  Whitefield 
yielded  to  their  entreaties,  and  commenced  the  prepara- 
tions :  though  he  determined  not  to  begin  the  building 
till  a  sufficient  sum  had  been  collected.  He  says  in  a 
letter,  dated  February  9th,  1753,  ''It  would  have  pleased 
your  Ladyship  to  have  seen  how  willingly  the  people 
gave  last  Lord's  day.  At  seven  in  the  morning  we 
■collected  fifty  pounds,  in  the  evening  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six.  Blessed  be  God,  we  have  now  near  nine 
hundred  pounds  in  hand."  Lady  Huntingdon  contributed 
handsomely  towards  its  erection ;  in  fact  her  generosity 
sometimes  required  curbing,  as  she  had  been  greatly 
imposed  upon  by  designing  persons  under  the  ostensible 
purpose  of  promoting  the  conversion  of  the  Jews.  Her 
chaplain  wrote  to  her,  "  Your  Ladyship  wants  a  bridle 
rather  than  a  spur."  The  foundation  stone  was  laid, 
March  1st,  1753,  when  Whitefield  preached  to  a  crowded 
assembly.  The  new  Tabernacle  was  so  much  larger  than 
the  old,  that  the  congregation  was  able  to  assemble  in 
the  original  structure  while  the  walls  Avere  being  built 
around  it„  The  building  was  rapidly  reared,  and  on  the 
10th  of  the  following  June,  it  was  opened  for  divine 
service,  ^lore  than  five  thousand  persons  crowded  to 
the  place,  to  whom  Whitefield  preached  with  his  accus- 
tomed eloquence  and  power. 

Lady  Huntingdon  continued  at  Clifton  till  the  latter 
end  of  this  year,  and  intended  to  visit  Bath  as  soon  as  the 


TABERNACLE     AT     BRISTOL.  147 

Tabernacle  at  Bristol  liad  been  opened.  After  preaching 
a  short  time  in  his  new  Tabernacle  in  London,  Whitefield 
set  out  on  an  excursion  to  Scotland.  He  preached  to 
great  numbers  in  JSTorthamptoD shire  and  Leicestershire, 
and  met  with  much  success  in  Yorkshire.  At  Eotherham 
he  was  gratified  by  the  kind  reception  he  received  from 
those  who  formerly  had  been  his  bitter  persecutors,  but 
had  been  converted  through  his  ministrations.  After 
three  months'  incessant  labour,  preaching  often  to  ten 
and  twenty  thousand  persons,  he  returned  to  London. 
His  stay,  however,  was  short ;  and  he  set  out  for  Stafford- 
shire, and  itinerated  in  the  neighboring  counties.  Every 
resting  place  was  a  preaching  station;  and  amid  much 
opposition  and  not  a  few  dangers,  he  proclaimed  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation  wherever  he  went.  His  Tabernacle 
at  Bristol  was  nearly  completed,  and  he  anxiously 
awaited  the  time  when  it  could  be  publicly  dedicated  to 
the  service  of  the  Lord.  The  building  was  at  length 
finished ;  and  on  the  25th  of  November,  1753,  he  opened 
this  spacious  chapel,  and  preached  to  crowded  congrega- 
tions.    He  says : — 

'^On  Sunday  I  opened  the  new  Tabernacle.  It  is  large 
but  not  half  large  enough  ;  would  the  place  contain  them, 
I  believe  nearly  as  many  would  attend  as  in  London.^  ^  * 
On  Tuesday,  at  seven  in  the  evening,  I  preached  in  the 
open  air  to  a  great  multitude ;  all  was  hushed  and  exceed- 
ingly solemn  ;  the  stars  shone  bright ;  and  then,  if  ever, 
b}^  an  eye  of  faith  I  saw  Him  who  called  them  all  by 
their  names.  My  soul  was  filled  with  a  holy  ambition, 
and  I  longed  to  be  one  of  those  who  shall  shine  as  the 
stars  for  ever  and  ever  My  hands  and  body,  at  this  and 
at  other  times,  were  pierced  with  cold ;  but  what  are  out- 
ward things  when  the  soul  is  warmed  with  the  love  of 
God." 

Whitefield  also  preached  in  his  brother's  large  house  to 
the  nobility,  who  were  induced  to  attend  through  the  in- 


148         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

flaence  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  Shortly  after  the  dedica- 
tion^ her  Ladyship  retired  to  Bath;  but  she  quickly 
hastened  back  to  Bristol  to  attend  Mrs.  Charles  Wesley 
in  an  alarming  and  infectious  disorder.  Her  devoted- 
ness  and  kindness,  could  not  be  restrained  by  fear ;  her 
love  grew  warmer  in  the  presence  of  danger ;  and  lier 
soul  panted  for  an  opportunity  of  displaying  lier  tender 
care  and  anxious  solicitude  for  those  in  sorrow  or  afflic- 
tion. The  Countess  possessed,  and  on  many  occasions 
displayed,  true  heroism  ;  not  that  whicb  sparkles  on  the 
battle  field,  and  is  paraded  before  the  world ;  but  that 
wbich,  unseen  by  men,  braves  a  thousand  dangers  and 
obstacles,  and  defies  the  sarcasms  of  the  rich  and  mighty, 
in  attempting  to  direct  the  soul  to  God,  to  peace,  and  to 
heaven. 


ILLNESS     OF     WESLEY.  149 


CEAPTEK  IX.    A.  D.  1751—1753. 

ILLNESS  OF  JOHN  WESLEY  AND  MRS.  C.  WESLEY. — LADY 
HUNTINGDON  IN  YORKSHIRE. — AWFUL  OCCURRENCE. — 
HER  LABOURS  IN  LONDON,  ASHBY,  AND  YORKSHIRE. — 
DEATH  OF  LADY  ANNE  HASTINGS. — WHITEFIELD  AT 
DONNINGTON  PARK. — TABERNACLE  AT  NORWICH. — REV. 
W.  ROMAINE  APPOINTED  HER  CHAPLAIN. — THE  COUN- 
TESS AT  BATH. — MEETING  OF  THE  CLERGY  AT  HER 
HOUSE. — LONG-ACRE  AND  TOTTENHAM  COURT  CHAPELS. 
SHUTER  THE  COMEDIAN. — LADY  HUNTINGDON  VISITS 
BRIGHTON. — THE  WOMEN'S  COTTAGE -MEETING. — JOSEPH 
WALL  THE  BLACKSMITH. — DEATH  OF  HENRY  HASTINGS. 

During  tlie  year  1753,  Mr.  JoTin  Wesley  had  laboured 
so  diligently,  and  travelled  so  much,  that  he  greatly  im- 
paired his  constitution.  On  his  return  to  London,  from 
a  tour  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  he  was  repeatedly  attacked 
with  violent  colds ;  which  produced  such  painful  results, 
as  to  threaten  his  life.  By  the  advice  of  Dr.  Fothergill, 
he  retired,  early  in  October,  to  Lewisham,  for  the  benefit 
of  rest  and  country  air:  where  he  was  so  thoroughly 
prostrated,  that  his  life  was  despaired  of.  He  there  wrote 
his  own  Epitaph,  as  he  says,  "  to  prevent  vile  panegyric ; " 
and  Whitefield  in  a  letter  expressed  his  fear  "that  shortly 
John  Wesley  will  be  no  more,  as  the  physicians  think 
his  disease  is  a  rapid  consumption."  Charles  Wesley 
hurried  to  London  to  visit  his  brother,  and  preach  in  his 
chapels ;  and  while  thus  engaged,  received  the  mournful 
intelligence  that  his  wife  had  been  seized  with  the  small- 
pox.    His  situation  was  exceedingly  painful ;  the  death 

16* 


150  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

of  liis  brother  was  daily  expected  ;  the  congregations 
could  not  be  left  unprovided  for ;  and  bis  beart  longed  to 
see  and  console  bis  beloved  partner.  Lady  Huntingdon 
immediately  came  from  Batb ;  and,  at  tbe  risk  of  losing 
ber  own  life,  by  tbat  disease  wbicb  bad  made  sucb  rava- 
ges in  ber  family,  sbe  attended  Mrs.  Wesley  tbrougbout 
ber  illness. 

Wbitefield  was  tben  at  Bristol,  and  wrote  a  sympa- 
tbizing  letter  to  Cbarles  Wesley.  "Now  is  tbe  time,"  be 
says,  ''  to  prove  tbe  strength  of  Jesus  yours.  A  wife,  a 
friend,  a  brother  ill  together !  Well !  this  is  our  comfort — 
all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  those  that  love 
God."  He  also  wrote  to  John  AVesley,  and  expressed  bow 
deeply  be  felt  tbe  affliction  which  God  bad  placed  upon 
him.  ''If  seeing  you  so  weak,  when  leaving  London, 
distressed  me,  tbe  news  and  prospect  of  your  approaching 
dissolution  bath  quite  weighed  me  down.  I  pity  myself 
and  the  Church,  but  not  you.  A  radiant  throne  awaits 
you,  and  ere  long  you  will  enter  your  Master's  joy. 
Yonder  be  stands  with  a  massy  crown,  ready  to  put  it  on 
your  bead,  amidst  an  admiring  throng  of  saints  and 
angels."  He  set  off  to  London  the  next  day  to  relieve 
Charles  Wesley,  and  enable  him  to  see  his  beloved  wife, 
before  the  disease  had  accomplished  its  deadly  work. 
She  remained  in  imminent  danger  for  twenty-two  days. 
He  rode  down  to  visit  her  twice ;  and  during  the  interval 
of  bis  visits,  bis  first  child,  a  lovely  boy  scarcely  two 
years  old,  took  the  infection  from  the  mother,  and  was 
buried  before  the  father  returned  again.  Some  of  his 
funeral  hymns  were  composed  on  this  occasion,  and  de- 
scribe tbe  feelings  of  bis  beart  at  tbe  affecting  circum- 
stance. Lady  Huntingdon  was  unremitting  in  ber  atten- 
tion to  tbe  bereaved  lady;  and  ber  cheerful  and  encou- 
raging conversation  greatly  stimulated  and  refreshed  the 
mind  of  tbe  sufferer.  Wbitefield  was  very  much  afraid 
her  Ladyship  would  injure  ber  own  health  by  ber  close 


LADY     HUNTINGDON     IN     YORKSHIRE.      151 

attendance  in  tlie  sick  room.  In  a  letter  to  her,  dated 
December  15th,  he  says,  ''I  am  yet  kept  in  suspense  about 
Mrs.  Wesley,  and  have  been  much  concerned  lest,  by 
intense  sympathy,  your  Ladyship  should  contract  an 
illness  yourself.  But  you  have  long  since  learnt  that  as 
your  day  is,  so  your  strength  shall  be.  I  pray  the  Lord 
of  all  lords  to  lengthen  out  your  important  life,  and  to 
make  you  ten  thousand  times  more  useful  than  ever,  long 
after  my  worthless  head  is  laid  in  the  silent  grave."  ISTot 
long  after  this,  a  letter  from  Lady  Huntingdon  announced 
the  pleasing  intelligence,  that  Mrs.  Wesley  was  pro- 
nounced out  of  danger  by  her  physician,  who  entertained 
sanguine  hopes  of  her  speedy  restoration.  John  Wesley 
also  was  rapidly  recovering;  and  Whitefield  joined 
heartily  in  the  public  thanks  which  were  offered  at  the 
Tabernacle  for  their  restoration  to  health. 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  the  summer  of  1754  at  Ashby- 
de-la-Zouch,  where  she  was  visited  by  Mr.  Ingham,  who 
preached  frequently  in  the  neighbourhood  during  his 
stay.  Whitefield  had  embarked  with  twenty-two  poor 
destitute  orphans  for  America,  where  he  remained  a  year, 
attending  to  the  affairs  of  his  Bethesda,  and  preaching 
the  gospel  to  the  negroes,  and  to  the  large  cities  in  the 
States.  Lady  Huntingdon  returned  with  Mr.  Ingham  to 
Aberford,  and  passed  some  delightful  weeks  in  the  com- 
pany of  her  excellent  sister-in-law.  Lady  Margaret,  and 
in  revisiting  those  spots  where  she  had  once  witnessed 
the  triumphs  of  the  gospel.  She  had  occasionally  ac- 
companied her  chaplain  in  his  excursions  into  Yorkshire, 
and  was  highly  delighted  with  the  magnificent  spectacle, 
which  the  assembled  thousands  presented.  The  prayers 
were  then  generally  read  in  the  church ;  a  scaffold  was 
erected  in  the  churchyard,  on  which  the  preacher  stood ; 
and  the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered  after  the  dis- 
course to  as  many  as  the  church  would  contain,  and  was 
repeated  till  all  had  communicated.     On  one  of  these  oc- 


152  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     UUXTIXGDOX. 

casions,  "VTliitefield  mounted  tlie  scafibld  to  address  a  very 
large  assembly.  He  silently  prayed  for  a  few  minutes ; 
then  glanced  at  the  people,  and  fervently  implored  the 
divine  blessing  to  rest  upon  them.  "With  deep  solemnity 
he  announced  the  text,  "It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to 
die,  but  after  this  the  judgment."  After  a  short  pause, 
he  was  about  to  proceed,  when  a  wild  terrifying  shriek 
issued  from  the  centre  of  the  congregation.  Alarm 
seized  the  assembled  multitude ;  Whitefield  stopped  ;  and 
Mr.  Grimshaw  hastened  to  the  spot.  He  soon  after 
pressed  through  the  crowd  to  the  scaffold,  and  cried  out 
with  a  voice,  rendered  peculiarly  impressive  by  the  in- 
tensity of  his  feelings,  "  Brother  "Whitefield !  you  stand 
amongst  the  dead  and  the  dying — an  immortal  soul  has 
been  called  into  eternity — the  destroying  angel  is  pass- 
ing over  the  congregation.  Cry  aloud,  and  spare  not ! 
The  awful  occurrence  was  made  known  to  the  people ; 
and  after  a  few  moments'  silence,  Whitefield  once  more 
announced  his  text.  Again  a  loud  piercing  cry  proceeded 
from  the  spot  where  Lady  Huntingdon  and  Lady  Margaret 
Inscham  were  standino^.  A  thrill  of  horror  ran  throuo;h 
the  assembly,  when  it  was  announced  that  a  second  per- 
son had  fallen  a  victim  to  the  king  of  terrors.  It  was 
some  time  before  the  consternation  had  suf&ciently  sub- 
sided to  enable  Whitefield  to  proceed  with  his  sermon. 
At  length  all  was  hushed  by  the  solemn  music  of  his 
voice  ;  a  death-like  stillness  pervaded  the  assembly ;  and 
when  he  poured  out  his  streams  of  impassionate  eloquence 
in  warnins:  the  careless  sinner  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  the  entire  mass  of  the  people  seemed  overpowered, 
and  surrendered  themselves  to  the  influence  of  the  truth. 
The  Countess  continued  for  some  time  at  Aberford,  and 
thence  proceeded  to  London.  ''I  was  surprised,"  says 
the  Duchess  of  Somerset,  "  to  meet  Lady  Huntingdon  on 
the  road  last  Saturday  fortnight ;  she  was  on  her  way  to 
London,  but  her  coach  drove  by  so  fast  that  I  had  only 


DEATH     OF     LADY     A  N  X  E     II  A  S  T  I  X  G  S  .  153 

time  to  send  Lomas  after  her  with  mj  compliments ;  she 
seemed  to  me  to  look  as  well  as  ever  I  saw  her."  Here 
she  remained  during  the  winter,  zealously  employed  in 
gathering  around  her  the  noble  and  the  rich  to  hear  the 
gospel,  and  in  fostering  the  spirit  of  unity  among  the  de- 
voted ministers  of  Christ.  She  was  extremely  anxious 
on  behalf  of  those  who  had  been  impressed  with  the 
truth ;  and  watched  over  them  with  great  solicitude,  lest 
the  sneers  of  friends,  or  the  gaieties  of  the  world,  should 
obliterate  the  impressions,  and  destroy  the  good  which 
had  been  effected.  She  was  a  true  mother  in  Israel,  and 
divided  her  attention  equally  between  the  rich  and  the 
poor.  To  save  a  soul  was  an  object  worthy  of  her  ambi- 
tion; and  one  which  amply  compensated  for  the  time, 
talents,  and  substance  she  consecrated  to  the  service  of 
the  Lord.  Thousands  will  bless  God  for  her  kindness  to 
their  souls,  as  thousands,  during  her  life,  blessed  her  for 
the  temporal  gifts  she  bestowed  upon  them. 

In  May  1755,  Whitefield  returned  to  England,  and  on 
his  arrival  at  London  found  that  Lady  Huntingdon  had 
left  the  metropolis  for  Ashby.  He  was  highly  gratified 
by  receiving  from  her  Ladyship  a  liberal  donation  for 
his  Bethesda,  and  by  the  intelligence  that  so  many  had 
been  stirred  up  to  preach  a  crucified  Saviour  during  his 
absence.  Mr.  Ingham  again  visited  her  Ladyship  at 
Ashby,  and  preached  at  her  house,  and  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, to  numerous  con2:re£rations.  On  his  return  to 
Yorkshire,  she  accompanied  him,  and  visited  most  of  the 
societies  in  the  vicinity  of  Aberford.  During  her  stay  in 
Yorkshire,  a  general  meeting  of  preachers  was  held  at 
"Winewall,  when  some  interesting  points  of  doctrine  and 
church  government  were  discussed,  and  Mr.  Ingham  was 
appointed  the  general  overseer  of  the  societies.  Her 
Ladyship,  therefore,  henceforth  styled  him  ''  The  Bishop.'''' 
She  was  far  from  approving  many  of  the  rules  and 
regulations  adopted  by  the  conference,  and  attempted  to 


154  MEMOIR     OF     LADY    II  U  N  T  I  N  G  D  O  X . 

effect  a  lauiou  with  the  followers  of  Wesley.  After  she 
left;  she  induced  Whitefield,  when  in  the  north,  to  confer 
with  Messrs.  Ingham,  Grimshaw,  and  the  Wesleys  on  the 
subject.  Charles  Wesley  assented  to  the  proposal,  but 
his  brother  decidedly  objected  to  it ;  and  the  line  of 
demarcation  gradually  became  so  much  broader,  that  the 
attempt  to  unite  the  Ingliamites  with  the  Methodists  was 
not  renewed. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  now  bereaved  of  her  sister-in- 
law,  Lady  Anne  Hastings,  who  was  removed  to  her 
eternal  rest  after  a  short  illness,  July  1st,  1755,  in  the 
sixty-fifth  year  of  her  age.  Lady  Anne  had  been  a  most 
valuable  assistant  to  the  Countess  in  her  benevolent 
exertions.  She  united  with  her  in  visiting  the  poor,  and 
directing  them  to  Christ ;  she  was  her  constant  attendant 
in  sickness,  and  greatly  cheered  her  by  the  simplicity  of 
her  faith,  the  happiness  of  her  heart,  and  the  foretastes 
of  heaven  which  filled  her  with  peace  and  joy.  Whitefield 
heard  of  her  death  at  Bristol,  and  wrote  a  sympathizing 
letter  to  the  Countess.  He  says,  ''  I  heard  of  the  death 
of  good  Lady  Anne,  and  was  glad  to  find  that  Miss 
Wheeler  bore  the  news  of  it  with  so  much  composure. 
Alas  I  how  many  has  3^our  Ladyship  lived  to  see  go 
before  you  1  An  earnest  this,  I  hope,  that  you  are  to 
live  to  a  good  old  age,  and  be  more  and  more  a  mother 
in  Israel.     A  short,  but  sweet  character." 

The  Countess  spent  a  few  months  at  Donnington  Park, 
while  the  Earl  was  at  Bath.  She  was  here  visited  by  her 
chaplain  on  his  way  into  Yorkshire,  and  delighted  to 
renew  her  acquaintance  with  her  poor  friends.  She 
recommenced  her  little  meetings,  and  embraced  every 
opportunity  of  directing  the  soul  to  the  Lord  Jesus. 
Whitefield  enjoyed  his  visit  to  the  old  family  mansion, 
and  in  a  letter  to  her  Ladyship,  dated  September  24:th, 
says,  "  A  sense  of  the  satisfaction  I  felt  when  at  Donning- 
ton still  lies  upon  my  heart.     Surely  were  I  not  called 


MR.    WHEAT  LEY.  155 

out  to  public  work,  waiting  upon  and  administering  to 
your  Ladj^sliip  in  the  lioly  offices  would  be  my  choice 
and  liigliest  privilege." 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  tins  time  greatly  interested  in 
the  religious  condition  of  Norwich.  Towards  the  end  of 
1751,  a  gentleman  slowly  rode  into  the  city,  and  stopped 
before  one  of  the  inns,  where  he  asked  a  soldier  on  guard, 
if  he  knew  any  religious  people  in  the  city.  It  was  the 
Rev.  James  Wheatley,  who  had  been  a  popular  preacher 
in  Wesley's  societies.  The  soldier  conducted  him  to  a 
little  band  of  puritans,  with  whom  this  minister  commen- 
ced his  labours.  His  first  sermon  was  preached  under 
the  trees  on  Tomb-land,  and  his  second  at  the  Felon's 
Gate,  Castle  Hill.  He  soon  created  great  excitement, 
and,  drew  upon  himself  the  bitter  hostility  of  many. 
Finding  it  impossible  to  preach  in  the  open  air,  he 
erected  a  temporary  building,  which  he  called  the  Taber- 
nacle. This,  however,  only  increased  the  persecuting 
spirit  of  the  people.  The  windows  were  broken ;  the 
chapel  was  completely  unroofed,  and  Mr.  "Wheatley  was 
publicly  insulted.  They  once  drew  him  from  the  chapel, 
stripped  him,  and  hurried  him  to  one  of  the  bridges  to 
drown  him,  where  he  was  mercifully  rescued  by  the 
mayor.  His  life  was  frequently  in  danger  from  the  fury 
of  the  mobs  ;  and  he  was  often  dragged  by  the  hair  of  his 
head  through  the  streets  of  the  city.  His  preaching, 
however,  was  very  successful ;  many  of  the  most  profli- 
gate and  abandoned  characters  became  reformed ;  and  he 
succeeded  in  gathering  a  considerable  society.  The 
manner  in  which  he  bore  the  persecutions  of  his  enemies 
turned  the  tide  in  his  favour ;  and  his  friends  began  to 
erect  the  noble  and  spacious  chapel,  which  still  retains 
the  name  of  the  former  building,  "  The  Tabernacle.^'' 
Whitefield  spent  a  few  days  in  Norwich  in  April  1753, 
and  preached  to  very  large  crowds  of  people,  notwith- 
standing the  opposition  he  experienced.     Through  his 


156        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

representations,  Lady  Huntingdon  contributed  a  band- 
some  sum  towards  the  erection  of  the  New  Tabernacle, 
and  was  glad  to  see  the  gospel  triumphing  in  that  dark 
and  profligate  city. 

The  fair  prospect  of  success  was  soon  blighted  by  the 
conduct  of  Mr.  Wheatley,  who  was  obliged  to  leave  the 
city  for  a  time  under  very  distressing  circumstances.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  C.  Wesley  and  his  brother  arrived  there  at  this 
critical  period,  and  found  the  whole  city  in  an  uproar 
respecting  the  late  minister.  "The  people,"  says  Wesley, 
"  are  so  scandalized  and  exasperated  that  they  are  ready 
to  rise  and  tear  him  to  pieces."  John  Wesley  soon  left 
the  i^lace,  but  Charles  preached  in  the  open  air  to  many 
thousands.  "  At  night,"  he  says,  "  I  had  multitudes  of 
the  great,  vulgar,  and  the  small  to  hear  me,  w4th  three 
justices,  and  nine  clergymen."  He  rented  a  large  brew- 
house,  and  rapidly  formed  a  society  in  Norwich,  though 
he  was  frequently  mobbed  and  disturbed,  and  his  wife 
hooted  at  by  the  rabble.  Before  Whitefield  visited  Don- 
nington  Park  in  1755,  Lady  Huntingdon  requested  him 
to  open  the  Kew  Tabernacle  at  Norwich.  He  repaired 
thither  early  in  August,  and  attracted  an  unusual  crowxl 
to  hear  him.  The  design  of  his  preaching  in  this  city 
was  misrepresented,  by  some  malicious  persons,  to  John 
Wesley,  who  sternly  remonstrated  with  him  for  having 
intruded  on  the  scene  of  his  labours.  Whitefield  thus 
wrote  to  Wesley,  dated  Norwich,  August  9th. 

"  Till  Tuesday  evening,  I  knew  no  more  of  coming  to 
Norwich  than  the  child  unborn.  Had  I  been  well  enough^ 
and  my  private  business  permitted,  I  should  have  been 
some  miles  in  my  way  towards  Donnington  Park.  This 
I  told  Mr.  Hartley,  and  acquainted  him  with  every  step  ; 
he  should  have  written  himself,  and  not  retailed  our  con- 
versation. As  I  expect  to  be  in  town  some  time  next 
week,  I  choose  to  defer  writing  more  till  we  have  a  per- 


WILLIAM    RO  MAINE.  157 

sonal  interview.  My  time  is  too  precious  to  be  employed 
hearkening  to,  or  vindicating  myself  against,  the  false 
and  invidious  insinuations  of  narrow  and  low-life  in- 
formers. Never  was  I  more  satisfied  of  my  call  to  any 
place,  than  of  my  present  call  to  ISTorwich.  The  Ee- 
deomer  knows  the  way  that  I  take.  I  came  hither  purely 
for  his  glory,  without  the  least  design  to  make  a  party 
for  myself,  or  to  please  or  to  displease  any  other  party 
whatsoever.  In  this  way,  and  in  this  spirit,  through  his 
divine  assistance,  I  hope  to  go  on.  Blessed  be  his  name; 
I  trust  my  feeble  labours  have  not  been  in  vain.  Sin,  1 
hope,  hath  been  prevented,  errors  detected,  sinners  con- 
victed, saints  edified,  and  my  own  soul  sweetly  re- 
freshed." 

It  was  at  the  request  of  Colonel  and  Mrs,  Galatin,  who 
had  been  for  some  time  at  Norwich,  and  had  formed  an 
intimacy  with  many  of  the  religious  people  there,  that 
Lady  Huntingdon  sent  her  chaplain  to  preach  at  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  Tabernacle.  The  chapel  was  supplied  by 
several  ministers,  chiefly  in  connexion  with  Whitefield, 
till  the  year  1758,  when  John  Wesley  rented  it  of  Mr. 
Wheatley  for  a  few  years ;  and  it  afterwards  came  into 
the  possession  of  Lady  Huntingdon. 

It  was  about  this  period,  the  Countess  took  under  her 
protection  a  celebrated  metropolitan  preacher,  by  appoint- 
ing him  one  of  her  chaplains.  "William  Romaine  was  the 
son  of  a  French  refugee,  who  had  been  driven  from  his 
country  by  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes.  He 
had  for  a  long  time  occupied  a  high  position  in  London, 
where  he  was  almost  the  only  minister  in  the  Church  of 
England  who  preached  the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  He  had  filled  the  of&ce  of  chaplain  to 
the  Lord  Mayor  of  London  with  great  satisfaction  to  his 
friend,  Sir  D.  Lambert ;  attacked  the  theory  of  Warhurton's 
Divine  Legation  of  Moses ;  issued  an  elaborate  edition  of 

14 


158        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON.  ' 

Oalasto's  Sebrew  Concordance  and  Lexicon  ;  and  faithfully         | 
discharged  his   duties   as   lecturer  in   two   of  the  city 
churches.     He  held  a  lectureship  at  St.  Dunstan's  in  the         i 
West,  and  was  appointed  assistant  morning-preacher  at 
St.  George's,  Hanover  Square.     In  these  two  churches,         . 
he  preached  the  gospel  with  great  simplicity  and  boldness.         | 
His   voice,    his   manner,   and   especially   the   truths   he         ' 
declared,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  people.     He  read         j 
his  sermons  with  an  energy  and  a  pathos  which  power-         ; 
fully  impressed  his  hearers.     His  fame,  therefore,  spread         ' 
far  and  wide ;  St.  George's  church  was  crowded   with         i 
attentive   audiences ;   the   parishioners  complained  that         i 
they  were  incommoded ;  the  neighbouring  clergy  were         • 
jealous   of   his   popularity  and   opposed   him ;    and   in         ' 
September,  1755,  the  rector  was  induced  to  dismiss  him,         j 
because,  like  the  Apostle  Paul,  Eomaine  ''  determined  to 
know  nothing  among  men  save  Jesus  Christ  and  him        , 
crucified."     He  was  turned  out  of  St.  George's  church  ;        ! 
but  reluctant  to  part  with  many  friends,  who  were  dear 
to  him,  and  who  wished  still  to  profit  by  his  labours,  he 
met  them  regularly  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Butcher.     Lord        : 
Northampton,  who  had  married  the  Baroness  Ferrars,  a        i 
relative   of  Lady  Huntingdon,    was   a   great   friend  to 
Komaine,  and  had  often  spoken  of  him  to  her  Ladyship.      -j 
To  shelter  this  eminent  minister  from  persecution,  she        \ 
invited  him  to  her  house,  gave  him  her  scarf,  and  secured        ■ 
his   services  to  preach  to  the  nobility  in  her  drawing        ! 
rooms,  the  poor  in  her  kitchen,  and  in  the  numerous        ; 
chapels  which  she  ultimately  erected  in  various  parts  of 
the  country. 

Lady  Huntingdon  passed  the  winter  at  Bath,  in  the        \ 
midst  of  a  large  circle  of  friends.     Lady  Gertrude  Hoth-        : 
am  had  been  there  during  the  summer,  and  was  visited        | 
by  Lords  Chesterfield   and   Huntingdon,  Mr.  Stanhope, 
Mrs.  Bevan,   and  Mrs.   Grinfield ;    and  Whitcfield   had 


LONG     ACRE     eHAi'KL.  159 

frequently  preached  there  at  the  residence  of  Lady  Ger- 
trude and  Mrs.  Bevan  to  large  audiences  of  the  nobility. 
Lady  Huntingdon  immediately  commenced  her  labours 
to  further  the  interests   of  true  religion.     On   her  last 
visit  to  this  city,  she  had  invited  to  her  house  a  number 
of  the  neighbouring  evangelical  clergy,  to  consult  upon 
the  best  means  to  be  adopted  to  secure  a  wider  circulation 
of  divine  truth  throughout  the  kingdom,  and  especially 
in  their  respective  cures.     In  the  month  of  January,  1756, 
the  invitation  was  repeated,  and  the  following  band  of 
zealous  ministers  met  at  her  house : — the  Eevs.  Messrs. 
Chapman,  vicar,  and  Brown,  curate  of  Bradford ;  Hart, 
curate  of  Warminster;  Johnston,  curate  of  Cirencester; 
Eawlings,  vicar  of  Padstow ;  Hill,  rector  of  Tavistock ; 
and   a   few  others.     During  their  stay,  they  frequently 
preached  to  numerous  audiences ;  and  their  sermons  were 
listened  to  with  great  attention,  and  made  useful  to  many. 
Her  own  spirit  was  much  refreshed  by  these  meetings, 
which  she  continued  for  a  number   of  years ;  and  her 
clerical  friends  Avere  accustomed  to  hail  her  arrival  at 
Bath  as  a  time  of  peculiar  pleasure  and  profit  to  them. 
She  was  thus  enabled  to  stimulate  the  faith  and  zeal  of 
these  devoted  ministers  of  Christ ;  and  they  returned  to 
their  duties  with  a  stronger  determination  to  devote  them- 
selves to  their  sacred  calling,  and  to  make  everything 
subservient  to  the  one  grand  object  of  winning  souls  to 
Christ. 

Meanwhile  AYhitefield  was  breaking  up  fresh  ground 
in  London.  Long  Acre  Chapel  had  been  for  some  time 
used  as  a  Dissenting  place  of  worship ;  and  Whitefield 
was  requested  to  preach  there  twice  a  week,  and  use  the 
Liturgy.  Regarding  the  offer  as  a  providential  call,  he 
readily  complied  with  the  request;  and  commenced 
preaching  there,  December  23rd,  1755.  A  violent  storm 
of  persecution  soon  burst  over  him.  Some  soldiers  united 
with  the  rabble,  and  raised  a  terrible  clamour  during  the 


160        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

service  with  a  copper-furnace,  bells,  drums,  and  clappers ; 
and  a  mob  collected  round  the  door,  and  assaulted  the 
preacher  and  his  congregation.  Whitefield  applied  to  the 
magistrates  for  protection,  and  wrote  to  the  Bishop  of 
Bangor,  then  Dean  of  Westminster,  requesting  his  per- 
mission to  officiate  in  the  chapel.  The  magistrates 
silenced  the  mob  for  a  time;  but  the  Bishop  prohibited 
him  from  preaching  there  again.  A  long  controversy 
ensued;  Whitefield  continued  his  services;  and  the 
Bishop's  partizans  co-operated  with  the  rioters  to  put 
down  the  eloquent  minister.  As  the  uproar  increased, 
Whitefield  resolved  to  appeal  to  His  Majesty  ;  for  which 
a  letter  was  sent  to  him,  threatening  his  life.  By 
the  advice  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  he  consulted  the 
Hon.  Hume  Campbell,  an  eminent  solicitor,  and  occasion- 
ally one  of  his  audience  ;  who  advised  him  to  put  all  con- 
cerned into  the  court  of  King's  Bench.  One  effect  of  this 
persecution  was,  to  induce  him  to  erect  a  permanent  place 
of  worship  at  the  west  end  of  London.  He  thus  writes 
to  Lady  Huntingdon,  May  2nd,  1756  : — 

''I  suppose  your  Ladyship  hath  seen  His  Majesty's 
promise  of  a  pardon  to  any  that  will  discover  the  letter- 
writer  ;  and  this  brings  your  Ladyship  the  further  news 
of  my  having  taken  a  piece  of  ground  very  commodious  to 
build  on,  not  far  from  the  Foundling  Hospital.  On  Sun- 
day I  opened  the  subscription,  and  through  God's  bless- 
ing, it  hath  already  amounted  to  near  six  hundred  pounds. 
If  he  is  pleased  to  continue  to  smile  upon  my  poor 
endeavours,  and  to  open  the  hearts  of  some  more  of  his 
dear  children  to  contribute,  I  hope  in  a  few  months  to 
have  what  hath  been  long  wanted — a  place  for  the  gospel  at 
the  other  end  of  the  town.  This  evening,  God  willing, 
I  venture  once  more  to  preach  at  Long  Acre.  The  enemy 
boasts  that  I  am  frightened  away ;  but  the  triumph  of  the 
wicked  is  short.     Our  people    Sir  Hume  Campbell,  Mr. 


S  H  U  T  E  R     THE     COMEDIAN.  161 

Madan,  &c.,  are  all  for  bri aging  the  rioters  to  tlie  King's 
bench,  and,  perhaps,  upon  the  whole,  it  may  be  best. 
Lord  Jesus,  direct  my  goings  in  thy  way ! " 

Tbe  foundation  stone  of  Tottenham- Court  Chapel  was 
laid,  with  great  solemnity,  in  the  beginning  of  May, 
1756,  when  Whiteiield  Avas  assisted  by  three  celebrated 
Dissenting  ministers,  Dr.  Grosvenor,  Dr.  Gibbons,  and 
Dr.  Gifford,  who  occasionally  preached  for  him  at  the 
Tabernacle.  It  was  his  intention  to  place  this  chapel 
under  the  protection  of  Lady  Iluntingdon ;  and  he  took 
some  steps  to  accomplish  it.  He  wrote  to  her  from  Lon- 
don, June  4:th : — 

"In  hopes  of  seeing  your  Ladyship,  I  hastened  to 
Bristol,  but  found  you  had  been  in  London  whilst  I  was 
there.  Sorry  was  I  for  the  occasion  of  your  Ladyship's 
journey,  and  yet  glad  to  hear  that  Master  Hastings  was 
so  well  recovered.  *  *  *  "We  liave  consulted  the  Com- 
mons about  putting  it  under  your  Ladyship's  protection. 
This  is  the  answer : — 'No  nobleman  can  license  a  chapel, 
or  in  any  manner  have  one,  but  in  his  dwelling  house ; 
that  the  chapel  must  be  a  private  one,  and  not  with  doors 
to  the  street  for  any  person  to  resort  to  at  pleasure,  for 
then  it  becomes  a  public  one ;  that  a  chapel  cannot  be 
built  and  used  as  such,  without  the  consent  of  the  parson 
of  the  parish,  and  when  it  is  done  with  his  consent,  no 
minister  can  preach  therein,  without  license  of  the 
Bishop  of  the  diocese.'  There  seems  then  to  be  but  one 
way — to  license  it  as  our  other  houses  are ;  and  thanks 
be  to  Jesus  for  that  liberty  which  "we  have." 

Lady  Huntingdon  visited  Donnington  Park  this  sum- 
mer, and  then  went  to  Clifton  to  her  usual  circle  of 
friends,  and  her  accustomed  sphere  of  usefulness.  She 
contributed  liberally  towards  the  erection  of  the  new 
chapel ;  and  AVhitefield  embraced  the  opportunity,  while 

14- 


162  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

it  was  building,  to  itinerate  in  England  and  Scotland. 
He  returned  to  London ;  and  opened  the  spacious  edifice 
for  divine  worship,  according  to  the  forms  of  the  Church 
of  England,  November  7th,  1756.  The  chapel  was  soon 
crowded,  and  many  were  induced  to  pay  attention  to  the 
claims  of  religion.  A  neighbouring  doctor  facetiously 
termed  it  "  WMtefielcVs  soid-trajy,^^  as  so  many  were  there 
convinced  of  sin,  and  brought  to  the  feet  of  Jesus. 
Among  his  frequent  hearers  was  Shuter  the  Comedian, 
then  in  the  height  of  his  reputation  as  the  representative 
of  "  BamhUy  On  one  occasion,  when  Whitefield  was 
inviting  sinners  to  come  to  the  Saviour,  he  fixed  his  eye 
on  Shuter,  who  was  seated  in  a  pew  exactly  opposite  the 
pulpit,  and  said  to  him,  "And  thou  poor  Eamble,  who 
hast  long  rambled  from  Him,  come  thou  also,  and  end 
thy  ramblings  by  coming  to  Jesus !  "  Shuter  was  exceed- 
ingly struck ;  and  after  the  service  he  came  to  White- 
field,  and  said,  '^I  thought  I  should  have  fainted ;  how 
could  you  serve  me  so  ?  "  This  attractive  actor  was,  at 
one  time  deeply  impressed  with  the  truth,  and  often 
regretted  the  part  he  had  performed  in  life.  He  once 
visited  Lady  Huntingdon  in  Bath,  when  he  was  perform- 
ing in  that  city.  Her  Ladyship  met  him  in  the  street ;  and 
though  personally  unknown  to  him,  inquired  after  his 
health,  and  invited  him  to  her  house.  In  a  letter  to  Lady 
Fanny  Shirley  she  says : — 

"  I  have  had  a  visit  from  Shuter,  the  comedian,  whom 
I  saw  in  the  street,  and  asked  to  call  on  me.  He  was 
wonderfully  astonished  when  I  announced  my  name. 
We  had  much  conversation ;  but  ho  cannot  give  up  his 
profession  for  another  more  reputable.  He  spoke  of  Mr. 
Whitefield  with  great  affection,  and  with  admiration  of 
his  talents.  He  promised  to  come  some  other  time,  when 
he  had  more  leisure  for  conversation.  Poor  fellow!  I 
think  he  is  not  far  from  the  kino-dom." 


AT     BRIGHTON.  |(]3 

The  attractions  of  his  profession,  however,  soon  nipped 
the  buds  of  promise,  and  dissipated  the  hopes  which  his 
religious  friends  had  fondly  cherished. 

The  Tottenham-Court  Chapel  speedily  became  too 
small  to  hold  the  crowds  that  flocked  to  it.  Twelve  alms- 
houses and  a  chapel  house  were  built  in  1758  ;  and  in  the 
next  year  it  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  an  octangu- 
lar front.  Whitefield  continued  the  sole  minister  for 
many  years,  and  then  associated  with  himself  Captain 
Joss,  whom  he  had  persuaded  to  give  up  maratime  pur- 
suits for  the  service  of  the  sanctuary,  and  whose  thrilling 
sermons  attracted  vast  multitudes,  and  were  very  useful. 
Eowland  Hill  was  a  great  favourite  at  this  chapel ;  and 
for  more  than  fifty  years,  the  Eev.  Matthew  Wilks 
preached  the  gospel  here,  and  at  the  Tabernacle.  Daring 
Whitefield's  absence,  the  affairs  were  regulated  by  his 
appointed  managers,  who  invited  to  the  pulpit  many 
ministers  of  zeal  and  piety,  who  were  anxious  to  preach 
Christ,  and  were  acceptable  to  the  people.  We  shall  fre- 
quently see  the  names  of  many  distinguished  men,  in 
connection  with  this  place  of  worship,  who  were  inti- 
mately associated  with  Lady  Huntingdon  in  the  service 
of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  Countess  was  much  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  her 
fourth  son,  the  Hon.  Henry  Hastings,  who  was  in  a  very 
delicate  state  of  health ;  and  her  chaplain  feared  that  her 
anxiety  would  bring  upon  herself  an  attack  of  the  gout. 
She  was  also  deeply  interested  in  the  case  of  an  unhappy 
youth,  belonging  to  an  honorable  family,  who  had  been 
convicted  of  some  serious  breach  of  the  law,  but  had  ob- 
tained His  Majesty's  pardon,  through  the  benevolent 
exertions  of  the  Countess.  The  young  man  appears  to 
have  been  greatly  benefited  by  her  kindness  and  advice. 
Her  liberality  was  also  extended  to  some  convicts,  in 
whose  welfare  Whitefield  felt  a  lively  interest.  In  a  letter 
to  her,  dated  March  2nd,  1757,  he  says : — 


164        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON, 

''  A  few  days  ago  I  received  the  kind  benefaction  for 
the  unhappy  convicts.  Not  doubting  of  success,  I  had 
advanced  some  guineas  which,  with  what  hath  been  pro- 
cured from  other  hands,  hath  bought  both  their  liberties, 
and  they  are  provided  for  on  the  other  side  of  the  water ; 
just  now,  I  believe,  they  are  under  sail.  O  that  he,  who 
I  suppose  will  now  receive  a  pardon,  was  alike  favoured ! 
But  not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  are  called.  I 
hope  this  will  not  find  your  Ladyship  ill  of  the  gout. 
May  the  Lord  Jesus  bear  all  your  sickness,  and  heal  all 
your  infirmities,  both  of  body  and  soul !  I  am  sensibly 
touched  when  anything  affects  your  Ladyship  ;  gratitude 
constrains  to  this." 

The  continued  illness  of  her  son  induced  Lady  Hun- 
tingdon to  visit  Brighton,  in  the  summer  of  1757.  That 
town  was  then  rising  in  importance  as  a  fashionable 
watering-place  ;  but  like  too  many  towns  in  England  was 
in  a  very  benighted  condition.  Her  Ladyship  was  greatly 
concerned  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  inhabitants  and 
the  visitors  ;  and  used  her  utmost  exertion  to  benefit  them 
by  carrying  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  houses  of 
the  rich  and  the  poor.  In  the  course  of  one  of  these 
visits  of  mercy,  she  entered  the  lodgings  of  a  soldier's 
wife,  who  was  in,  and  having  relieved  her  temporal  wants, 
she  conversed  with  the  woman  on  religious  topics,  and 
pointed  her  to  the  fountain  opened  for  sin  and  unclean- 
ness.  Her  manner  arrested  the  attention  of  the  invalid : 
her  zeal  was  tempered  with  discretion,  and  her  solemnity 
softened  with  sweetness ;  and  when  the  Countess  spoke 
of  the  corrupt  state  of  the  heart,  and  the  awful  danger 
which  threatened  the  sinner,  the  woman  burst  into  tears, 
and  cried  out  for  God  to  have  mercy  on  her  soul.  Lady 
Huntingdon  renewed  her  visits,  and  was  greatly  encour- 
aged by  the  evident  anxiety  of  the  woman  to  hear  the 
way  of  salvation  through  Christ.  The  room  in  which 
she  was  lying  was  contiguous  to  a  public  bakehouse ;  and 


CON'VERSION'     OF     JOSEPH     WALL.  165 

the  people  who  came  to  the  oven,  heard^  through  a  crack 
in  the  wall,  the  glad  tidings  which  her  Ladyship  pro- 
claimed. The  affair  soon  became  the  subject  of  conversa- 
tion among  the  neighbours ;  and  other  poor  women  came 
to  the  lodgings  of  the  soldier's  wife  to  listen  to  the  story  of 
Christ  crucified.  Her  Ladyship  took  great  delight  in  this 
little  meeting,  and  beheld  with  satisfaction,  the  number 
of  persons  who  attended  rapidly  increasing.  She  met 
them  as  often  as  they  could  come  together,  and  generally 
read  and  expounded  the  Scriptures  to  them,  prayed  with 
them,  and  conversed  on  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
No  spectacle  could  be  more  beautiful  than  this  lovely 
scene  ;  the  highest  and  the  lowest  were  attracted  to  each 
other  :  and  the  peeress  displayed  her  true  nobility  and 
greatness  when  she  was  seated  in  the  rude  hovel,  sur- 
rounded by  these  poor  creatures.  Her  fervent  and  affec- 
tionate heart  yearned  for  their  salvation  ;  her  earnestness 
convinced  them  that  she  was  deeply  interested  in  their 
welfare ;  and  her  subject,  her  language,  the  tones  of  her 
voice,  and  her  benevolent  countenance,  conspired  to  fix 
their  attention,  and  affect  their  hearts. 

Though  the  meeting  was  confined  to  women,  on  one 
occasion,  a  blacksmith,  named  Joseph  Wall,  a  man  notori- 
ous for  his  profligacy,  discovered  the  sacred  retreat,  and 
obtained  admittance.  When  the  Countess  came  on  her 
accustomed  visit,  she  was  greatly  surprised  at  seeing  him 
in  a  corner  of  the  room,  and  hesitated  whether  to  request 
him  to  withdraw  or  to  speak  to  him.  She,  however, 
determined  to  take  no  notice  of  him,  and  to  proceed  in 
her  usual  manner,  to  pray  with  and  instruct  the  poor 
women.  The  word  spoken  was  applied  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  the  heart  of  the  blacksmith ;  a  marvellous 
change  appeared  in  his  life ;  and  he  became  a  distinguished 
monument  to  the  power  of  divine  grace.  For  a  period 
of  twenty-nine  years,  he  adorned  the  doctrines  of  God 
his  Saviour  by  a  life  of  holiness,  and  patiently  awaited 


166  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

his  dismissal  to  glory.  He  told  a  friend,  a  day  or  two 
before  his  departure,  that  he  longed  to  be  dissolved,  that 
he  was  very  happy,  and  had  not  a  doubt  of  his  salvation, 
and  would  not  change  his  state  with  the  King.  In  his 
last  hour,  his  lips  moved  slightly  ;  and  when  his  daughter 
bent  over  him,  she  heard  him  faintly  breathe  the  prayer, 
"Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly."  It  was  soon  an- 
swered ;  and  he  departed  to  his  heavenly  rest,  one  of  the 
first-fruits  of  the  abundant  harvest  which  has  been 
gathered  from  Brighton,  through  the  instrumentality  of 
Lady  Huntingdon. 

Though  her  Ladyship's  efforts  were  greatly  blessed  to 
the  spiritual  welfare  of  many,  all  her  care  and  attention 
could  not  stay  the  progress  of  disease  in  her  son.  He 
died  at  Brighton  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age,  Sep- 
tember 13th,  1757.  She  deeply  felt  the  blow,  yet  she 
knew  it  was  her  duty  to  be  resigned  to  the  will  of  her 
heavenly  Father.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  only 
record  of  this  event  is  contained  in  the  following  letter  of 
Whitefield  to  her. 

"London,  October  21st,  1757. 
"Ever  honoured  Madam, 

"  I  burnt,  but  I  believe  I  shall  never  forget  the  contents 
of  your  Ladyship's  letter.  Who  but  the  Eedeemer  him- 
self can  possibly  describe  the  yearnings  of  such  a  tender 
parent's  heart  ?  Surely  your  Ladyship  is  called  to  cut 
off  a  right  hand,  and  pluck  out  a  right  eye :  but  "it  is  the 
Lord,  let  Him  do  what  seemeth  him  good."  This  was  the 
language  of  Eli,  whose  sons  were  sinners  before  the  Lord 
exceedingly.  This  hath  often  been  the  case  of  the  best 
of  people,  and  the  greatest  favourites  of  heaven ;  but 
none  knows  the  bitterness  of  such  a  cup,  but  those  who 
are  called  to  drink  it.  If  not  sweetened  with  a  sense  of 
the  love  and  mercy  of  God  in  Christ,  who  could  abide  it? 
0  what  physic,  what  strong  physic,  do  our  strong  affec- 


DEATH     OF     HENKY     HASTINGS.  167 

tions  oblige  our  heavenly  Father  to  give  us!  AYhat 
pruning  knives  do  these  luxuriant  branches  require,  in 
order  to  preserve  the  fruit  and  delicacy  of  the  vine. 
Blessed  be  God,  there  is  a  time  coming,  when  these  mys- 
terious dignified  providences  shall  be  explained.  I  am 
glad  Mr.  L.  is  with  your  Ladyship ;  he  has  a  friendly 
heart.  May  the  Lord  Jesus  raise  up  your  Ladyship 
many  comforters.  Above  all  may  he  come  himself.  He 
will,  he  will.  *  ^  *  0  that  I  could  bear  part  of  your 
Ladyship's  heavy  load!  But  I  can  only  in  my  feeble 
way  bear  it  on  my  heart  before  him,  who  came  to  heal 
our  sicknesses  and  bear  our  infirmities.  That  your 
Ladyship  may  come  out  of  these  firery  trials,  purged  and 
purified,  like  the  brightest  gold,  is  the  earnest  prayer  of 
your  Ladyship's  most  dutiful,  obliged,  smypathizing,  and 
very  ready  servant  for  Christ's  sake. 


Lady  Huntingdon  retired  to  Clifton  to  enjoy  a  season 
of  solitude  after  her  berervement.  Amid  all  her  efforts 
for  Christ  she  never  forgot  the  duties  of  her  social  circle. 
She  watched  over  her  children  with  more  than  maternal 
tenderness ;  she  pointed  them  to  the  Saviour,  and,  to  use 
the  beautiful  figure  of  Goldsmith, 

"  And,  as  a  bird,  eacli  fond  endearment  tries 
To  tempt  its  new-fledged  offspring  to  tlie  skies, 
She  tried  eacli  art,  reproved  each  dull  delay, 
Allured  to  brighter  worlds,  and  led  the  way." 

She  was  abundantly  repaid  for  all  her  care  by  the 
affectionate  regard  they  manifested  towards  her ;  and 
though  she  bitterly  lamented  the  impiety  of  her  eldest 
son,  the  Earl,  she  retained  a  strong  hold  upon  his  love, 
which,  neither  his  principles,  nor  his  contact  with  the 
world,  could  destroy.  He  respected  her  opinions  and 
feelings,  and  never  attempted  to  thwart  any  of  her  plans, 
though  he  had  no  sympathy  with  her  spiritual  religion. 


168  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

The  Countess  enjo3^ed  in  her  retreat,  much  of  the  presence 
of  Christ;  and  the  consohitions  of  many  distinguished 
friends ;  her  heart  was  gently  chastened,  her  piety  re- 
ceived a  more  heavenly  tone,  her  will  became  more  thor- 
oughly subdued  to  the  will  of  God ;  and  she  renewed  her 
vow  of  consecration  to  the  service  of  Christ,  and  stimula- 
ted her  faith  and  zeal  to  enter  the  useful  and  blessed 
career  which  was  widely  opening  to  her. 


REVIVAL    OF    RELIGION.  169 


CHAPTER  X.    A.  D.  1757—1760. 

REVIVAL  OF  RELIGION  IN  THE  ESTABLISHMENT. — REV. 
HENRY  VENN  PREACHES  AT  HER  LADYSHIP'S  MANSION. 
— MESSRS.  MADAN  AND  ROMAINE  ITINERATE  FOR  HER. — 
REV.  JOHN  FLETCHER. — THE  COUNTESS  AT  BATH. — THE 
FAST-DAY  IN  LONDON. — SPECIAL  SERVICES. — SACRED 
MUSIC  :  HANDEL.  GIARDINI.  KENT. — REV.  JOHN  BER- 
RIDGE. — LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  EVERTON. — WONDER- 
FUL EXCITEMENT. — THE  MAGDALEN  HOSPITAL. — FOOTE. 
— GARRICK. — THE  COUNTESS  IN  YORKSHIRE. — SANDE- 
MANIAN  THEORIES. — ANECDOTES  OF  FLETCHER  AND 
BEERIDGE. 

The  great  movement;  with  which  the  life  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  Avas  identified^  was  every  year  producing 
the  most  marvellous  effects.  The  revival  of  religion  was 
not  confined  to  any  one  district;  or  community ;  but;  like 
the  light;  silently  affected  all;  and  everywhere  secured  its 
glorious  triumphs.  The  labours  of  "Wesley  and  White- 
field  had  scattered  the  fearful  darkness  which  hung  over 
the  people,  and  stimulated  many  holy  men  to  come  forth 
as  champions  of  the  truth.  Methodism  germinated  in 
the  University  of  Oxford;  and  for  some  time  grew  and 
gathered  strength  within  the  Established  Church.  The 
great  leaders  were  her  members  and  ministers;  warmly 
attached  to  her  Articles  and  Liturgy,  and  anxious  to 
arouse  her  to  a  sense  of  her  important  mission  to  the 
world.  When  insuperable  obstacles  arose;  and  prevented 
them  labouring  within  her  pale,  they  chose  rather  to  obey 
the  dictates  of  their  conscience  and  heart,  and  preach  to 

15 


170         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

the  perishing  crowds  in  the  fields  and  highways,  than  to 
silence  their  voice,  and  calmly  settle  down,  and  confine 
their  exertions  within  the  narrow  limits  of  a  parish. 
They,  however,  accomplished  much  for  the  Church  of 
England,  and  by  their  influence,  aroused  her  to  put  forth 
those  efibrts  Avhich  have  secured  to  her  the  prosperity 
she  enjoys.  Before  they  arose,  there  was  scarcely  any 
real  spiritual  religion  in  her  midst ;  but,  through  them, 
an  impetus  was  given  to  many  of  the  clergy,  whose 
numbers  gradually  increased,  and  formed  a  devoted  band 
of  Evangelical  ministers. 

Lady  Huntingdon  still  more  extensively  furthered  the 
revival  of  religion  in  the  Established  Church.  It  has  been 
seen  how  anxiously  she  gathered  around  her,  and  watched 
over,  the  godly  clergy ;  how,  by  her  influence,  she  intro- 
duced pious  persons  to  the  ministry,  by  obtaining  for 
them  episcopal  ordination ;  and,  how  she  was  ever  on  the 
alert  to  aid,  by  her  counsel,  wealth,  and  protection,  the 
zealous  ministers  of  the  Church  of  England.  Though 
her  catholicity  induced  her  to  welcome  every  pious  min- 
ister of  Christ,  and  to  assist  evangelical  dissenters  in  their 
labours,  her  warmest  sympathies  were  towards  the  Esta- 
blishment;  and  secured  the  services  of  its  clergy  to 
preach  in  her  drawing-rooms,  and  in  the  chapels  Avhich 
she  afterwards  erected  in  destitute  places,  until  the  strong 
hand  of  episcopal  authority  and  persecution,  forced  her 
to  decide,  whether  she  should  leave  the  people  to  perish 
uncared  for,  or  shelter  herself  under  the  law,  expressly 
provided  for  dissenters,  whose  name  and  principles,  how- 
ever, she  refused  to  adopt.  It  was  about  this  time,  she 
became  acquainted  with  some  of  the  bright  and  shining 
lights  of  the  Church  of  England. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Venn  had  accepted  a  curacy  in  Lon- 
don to  serve  the  Church  of  St.  Matthew,  Friday  Street, 
part  of  the  summer,  and  of  West  Horsley  in  Surrey,  the 
remainder  of  the   year.     While  in    London,  he  became 


REV.      HENRY     VENN.  171 

intimate  with  the  Rev.  Bryan  Brouglaton,    secretary  to 
the  '^  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,'^''  who  had 
been  one  of  the  first  Methodists  at  Oxford,  and  was  a 
great  friend  and  associate  of  Whitefield.     Through  him, 
and   the   perusal   of   Law's  "Serious    Call,^^    Mr.    Venn 
became  deeply  impressed  with  the  responsibility  of  his 
sacred  calling,  and  the  necessity  of  fervent  personal  reli- 
gion.    When  he  was  appointed  curate  of  Clapham,  he 
formed  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  excellent  and 
benevolent  John  Thornton  Esq.,  then  a  young  man  of 
genuine  piety,  who  was  rapidly  rising  into  public  notice. 
At  the  house  of  this  gentleman,  he  had  many  opportu- 
nities of  meeting  Lady  Huntingdon  and  Whitefield,  who 
frequently  preached  there,  in  his  presence,  to  overflowing 
assemblies.     The  instructions  of  this  honoured  preacher 
were  instrumental  in  leading  him  to  obtain  clear  views 
of  divine  truth ;  and  shortly  after,   Mr.  Venn  invited  his 
friend.    Dr.  Haweis,  from   Oxford,    to  spend   some   time 
with  him  at  Clapham.     The  Doctor  had  been  converted 
under  the  powerful  ministry  of  the  renowned  Mr.  Walker, 
of  Truro,    and  was  warmly   attached  to  the   moderate 
opinions  of  Calvin.     He  was  very  zealous  in  bringing 
the  young  men  at  Oxford  to  Christ,  and  met  with  consi- 
derable success.     He  afterwards  became  intimate  with  the 
Countess,  preached  in  her  chapels,  was  appointed  one  of 
her  chaplains,  and  at  her  death,  became  one  of  the  devi- 
sees of  all  her  chapels. 

The  conversation  of  Dr.  Haweis  had  a  very  beneficial 
influence  on  the  mind  and  heart  of  Mr.  Yenn.  He  searched 
the  Scriptures  with  prayerfulness,  discerned  more  clearly 
the  depravity  of  the  human  heart,  and  warmly  appre- 
ciated the  doctrines  of  divine  grace.  A  mighty  change 
passed  over  him ;  he  gave  free  expression  in  his  sermons 
to  the  feelings  of  his  soul;  and  preached  five  times 
a  week  at  his  cure  and  lectureships,  besides  his  privo,te 
exhortations  among  his  friends.    His  ministry  was  greatly 


172  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

blessed  ;  crowds  attended  his  services  ;  and  many  owned 
that  he  was  the  means  of  their  conversion  to  God.  He 
adhered  to  the  practice,  tlien  so  general,  of  reading  his 
sermons,  till  he  was  attacked  by  a  serious  illness,  w^hich 
laid  him  by  for  several  months;  after  wbich  he  threw 
aside  his  manuscript,  and  was  almost  the  first  to  com- 
mence extempore  preaching  in  the  Churcb.  His  view^s 
of  religion  now  became  clearer:  his  conception  of  the 
work  of  Christ  more  distinct;  and  his  conversation  and 
preaching  were  pervaded  by  a  more  spiritual  tone  and 
tendency. 

In  1757  Whitefield  induced  Mr.  Yenn  to  accompany 
him  on  a  preaching  excursion  into  Gloucestershire. 
Lady  Huntingdon  had  engaged  Mr.  Madan  to  itinerate 
through  several  parts  of  the  kingdom,  and  preach  the 
gospel  wherever  he  had  an  opportunity.  He  was  accom- 
panied through  Hertfordshire,  Bedfordshire,  and  Buck- 
inghamshire by  Mr.  Komaine,  and  visited  Warwickshire 
and  Worcestershire,  on  his  way  to  Bristol  to  meet 
Whitefield.  Immense  crowds  attended  w^henever  they 
preached  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  in  this  city.  Lady 
Huntingdon  was  still  at  Clifton ;  and  during  their  stay 
Messrs.  Yenn,  Madan,  and  Howell  Davies  who  was  sup- 
plying the  Tabernacle,  were  hospitably  entertained  at 
her  Ladyship's  residence.  The  conversation  of  the 
Countess  was  attended  with  the  happiest  results  to  Mr. 
Yenn.  His  soul  expanded,  and  his  thoughts  ripened 
under  the  genial  influence  of  her  character  ;  and  his  zeal 
was  so  stimulated  by  her  example  that  he  resolved  to 
preach  boldly  the  gospel  every  where,  unheeding  the 
smiles  or  the  frowns  of  man.  The  Countess  frequently 
wrote  to  him,  and  urged  him  to  remain  stedfast  in  the 
path  he  had  chosen.  She  pointed  out  to  him  the  dangers 
which  surrounded  his  position ;  the  flattery,  pride,  and 
self-esteem  which  the  heart  welcomed ;  and  the  tempta- 
tions  which  would  certainly  assail   him.     She  advised 


REV.     H  E  X  R  Y     VENN.  178 

him  to  preach  Christ  as  the  only  foundation  of  the 
sinner's  hope,  the  sole  object  of  iUith,  the  Prince,  the 
Saviour.  ''  Be  bold,  be  firm,  be  decisive.  Let  Christ  be 
the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  all  you  advance  in  your 
addresses  to  your  fellow  men."  Her  chaplain  witnessed 
the  beneficial  efiect  of  her  instructions,  and  in  a  letter  to 
her  says,  "He  owes  your  Ladyship  much,  under  Grod; 
and  I  believe  his  whole  soul  is  gratitude  to  the  Divine 
Author  of  his  mercies,  and  to  you,  the  honoured  instru- 
ment in  leading  him  to  the  fountain  of  truth." 

In  the  spring  of  1758  Lady  Huntingdon  arrived  in 
London  with  her  family,  and  soon  threw  open  her  house 
twice  every  week  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. 
Messrs.  Komaine,  Yenn  and  Madan  principally  ofiiciated 
at  her  Ladyship's  residence.  Whitefield  was  at  this 
time  at  Bristol,  and  in  a  letter  to  her  dated  June  17th, 
1758,  says,  "I  rejoice  in  the  increase  of  your  Ladyship's 
spiritual  routs.  I  can  guess  at  the  consolation  such  un- 
common scenes  must  afford  to  your  Ladyship's  new-born 
souL  No  wonder  you  are  distressed  from  other  quarters. 
Indeed  my  most  noble,  and  ever  honoured  patroness, 
thus  it  must  be,  Christ's  witnesses  must  be  purged  at 
home.  Inward  domestic  trials  fit  for  outward  public 
work.  Nature  recoils,  when  constrained  to  take  the 
cross,  and  it  may  be  from  a  near  and  dear  relation's  hand; 
but  infinite  wisdom  knows  what  is  best." 

Soon  after  the  Countess  arrived  in  London,  she  became 
acquainted  with  that  useful  and  holy  minister,  the  Eev. 
John  Fletcher,  for  many  years  vicar  of  Madeley  in 
Shropshire.  He  was  a  native  of  Switzerland,  and  in  his 
youth  had  an  intense  passion  for  a  military  life.  When 
Providence,  in  a  very  remarkable  manner,  frustrated  his 
hopes  and  blighted  his  prospects,  he  came  to  England, 
and  in  1752  became  the  tutor  in  the  family  of  Thomas 
Hill,  Esq.,  Tern  Hall,  near  Shrewsbury.  He  was  here 
led  to  see  the  importance  of  religion,  and  to  gain  clear 

la* 


174        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

views  of  tlie  doctriues  of  salvation;  tliough  not  without 
passing  through  many  severe  conflicts,  and  inward  trials. 
He  early  became  connected  with  Mr.  Wesley,  who  encou- 
raged him  to  consecrate  himself  to  the  service  of  the 
sanctuary.  For  two  years  he  remained  undecided;  but 
at  length,  yielding  to  the  sacred  impulses  of  his  heart,  and 
the  solicitations  of  his  friends,  he  was  ordained  by  the 
Bishop  of  Bangor  in  March,  1757.  After  that  service, 
he  preached  on  the  same  day  for  John  Wesley,  and  while 
in  London,  diligently  proclaimed  the  gospel  in  his  chapels, 
both  in  French  and  English.  He  soon  became  known  to 
the  leading  persons  among  the  Methodists,  who  fostered 
within  him  the  spirit  of  liberality  and  zeal,  Whitefield 
spoke  of  him  in  very  high  terms  to  Lady  Huntingdon, 
and  John  Wesley  introduced  him  to  her  shortly  after 
her  arrival  in  London.  She  was  highly  delighted  with 
this  remarkable  man  ;  his  piety,  and  learning,  and  humili- 
ty attracted  her  heart ;  and  the  interview  soon  ripened  . 
into  a  lasting  and  cordial  friendship.  Hearing  that  he 
preached  in  French,  she  mentioned  to  him  the  condition 
of  the  French  prisoners  at  Tunbridge;  and  at  her 
request,  he  went  down  and  proclaimed  the  gospel  to  them 
in  their  native  language.  They  were  deeply  affected 
with  his  addresses;  they  requested  him  to  preach  to 
them  every  Sabbath  day ;  and  presented  a  petition  to  the 
Bishop  of  London  to  grant  him  permission  to  do  so.  The 
Bishop,  however,  rejected  their  prayer. 

When  Lady  Huntingdon  resumed  her  drawing-room 
services,  which  had  been  discontinued  for  a  time  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  summer,  at  London,  in  November,  she 
invited  Mr.  Fletcher  to  preach  to  the  distinguished  circle 
surrounding  her.  In  a  letter  to  Charles  Wesley,  he  re- 
cords his  interview  with  her  Ladyship. 

''I  carried  the  enclosed  agreeably  to  its  address,  and 
passed  three  hours  with  a  moderate  prodigy — a  pious  and 
humhle  Countess/     1  went  with  trembling,  and  in  obedi- 


KEV.     JOHN     FLETCHER.  175 

ence  to  your  orders;  but  I  soon  perceived  a  little  of  what 
the  disciples  felt,  when  Christ  said  to  them  ''  It  is  I,  be  not 
afraid."  She  proposed  to  me  something  of  what  you 
hinted  to  me  in  your  garden;  namely,  to  celebrate  the 
communion  sometimes  at  her  house  in  a  morning,  and  to 
preach  when  occasion  offered ;  in  such  a  manner,  how 
ever,  as  not  to  restrain  my  liberty,  or  prevent  my  assist- 
ing you,  or  preaching  to  the  French  refugees ;  and  that 
only  till  Providence  should  clearly  point  out  the  path  in 
which  I  should  go.  Charity,  politeness,  and  reason 
accompanied  her  offer ;  and  I  confess,  in  spite  of  the  reso- 
lution which  I  had  almost  absolutely  formed,  to  fly  the 
houses  of  the  great,  without  even  the  exception  of  the 
Countess,  I  found  myself  so  greatly  changed,  that  I 
should  have  accepted  on  the  spot,  a  proposal  which  I 
should  have  declined  from  any  other  mouth,  but  my 
engagement  with  you  withheld  me ;  and  thanking  the 
Countess,  I  told  her,  when  I  had  reflected  on  her  obliging 
offer,  I  would  do  myself  the  honour  of  waiting  upon  her 
again." 

He  accepted  her  Ladyship's  invitation,  and  commenced 
his  ministry  at  her  house  with  much  fear  and  trembling. 
His  success  among  the  noble  was  equal  to  what  he  had 
gained  in  humbler  assemblies;  his  affectionate  and  fer- 
vent manner  won  the  hearts  of  his  hearers ;  and  his 
earnestness  and  zeal  for  their  conversion  proved  that  he 
had  but  one  object  before  him — the  glory  of  God. 
During  the  winter,  Ladj^  Huntingdon  continued  her  use- 
ful efforts  in  every  possible  way,  and  endeavoured,  with 
the  most  unwearied  diligence,  to  promote  the  honour  and 
interests  of  her  divine  Master.  She  steadily  pursued  her 
grand  designs  both  at  home  and  abroad,  in  public  and 
private ;  and  drew  into  prominence  all  who  had  talents 
and  the  disposition  to  serve  the  Lord.  She  found  a 
powerful  assistant  in  ^[r.  Fletcher,  who  was  every  way 
calculated  to  fan  the  flame  of  holy  zeal  which  glowed 


176  MEMOIR      OF     LADY     HUNTIXGDOX. 

Avitliiii  her,  and  to  stimulate  her  to  still  greater  exertion 
in  the  service  of  Christ.  He  continued  actively  engaged 
in  London  for  a  few  months ;  he  frequently  assisted  the 
Wesley  s ;  and  preached  alternately  with  them  and  others, 
once  or  twice  a  week,  at  the  house  of  Lady  Huntingdon, 
Lady  Gertrude  Hotham,  and  Lady  Fanny  Shirley. 

At  the  commencement  of  1759,  Lady  Huntingdon  was 
actively  engaged  in  her  good  work  at  Bath,  where  a  large 
circle  of  the  nobility  surrounded  her.  She  was  accompa- 
nied thither  by  Lady  Fanny  Shirley,  and  her  daughter 
Lady  Selina ;  and  on  the  4th  of  January  prevailed  upon 
Mr.  Wesley,  who  was  at  Bristol,  to  come  to  the  fashion- 
able city,  and  preach  in  her  house  to  the  nobility.  Her 
stay  here  Avas  but  short ;  for  early  in  February,  she 
returned  to  London,  where  the  people  were  deeply 
impressed  with  a  sense  of  their  national  guilt.  A  public 
humiliation  was  appointed  to  be  observed  on  Friday, 
February  IGth,  which  was  rigidly  kept  at  all  the  places 
of  worship.  In  the  morning,  the  Countess  went  to  the 
Tabernacle,  to  hear  AYhitefield  ;  and  in  the  evening  to 
the  Foundry,  where  AVesley  preached.  The  chapels 
were  crowded  with  attentive  and  prayerful  audiences, 
and  great  seriousness  was  every  where  manifested.  At 
this  solemn  period,  Lady  Huntingdon  established  prayer- 
meetings  at  her  house,  where  many  wrestled  mightily 
with  God,  on  behalf  of  the  sinful  nation.  On  Wednesday, 
the  21st,  Messrs.  AVhitefield,  C.  Wesley,  Maxfield,  and 
Venn  conducted  the  services  ;  and  on  the  following 
Friday,  Messrs.  Romaine,  Wesley,  Madan,  and  Jones 
fervently  prayed  for  the  divine  blessing  to  rest  on  the 
land.  These  interesting  meetings  were  continued  some- 
times for  two  or  three  successive  days,  and  were  very 
useful  in  stimulating  the  feith,  the  zeol,  and  the  spirit- 
uality of  those  who  attended  them.  The  Countess  greatly 
enjoyed  the  fervent  spiritual  prayers  and  addresses ;  and, 
in  her  letters  of  this  period,  speaks  of  the  effect   they 


THE     COUXTESS     AT     LONDON.  177 

prodaced  upon  lier  own  soul,  Slie  seemed  to  realize  lier 
own  unwortliinesS;  and  confessed  that  she  had  as  3-et 
done  nothing  to  manifest  her  gratitude  to  Christ.  The 
thought  humbled  her,  and  led  her  to  pour  out  the  desire 
of  her  heart  to  God  in  prayer,  that  henceforth  she  might 
live  only  to  him.  ''May  he  increase  my  faith,  animate 
my  heart  Avith  a  zeal  for  his  glory,  enlarge  my  sphere, 
and  make  me  more  faithful  in  the  sphere  in  which  I  move." 
The  sacrament  was  frequently  administered  on  these 
occasions,  and  addresses  given  to  the  communicants.  At 
one  time,  March  6th,  Whitefield  presided,  and  spoke  to 
them",  in  such  strains  of  simple  and  touching  eloquence, 
that  all  were  bathed  in  tears.  This  mighty  master  of 
oratory  could  penetrate  the  hearts  of  his  audience,  and 
play  upon  them,  as  upon  the  strings  of  a  harp.  He  could 
thrill  them  with  indignation  by  a  feeling  of  injustice ; 
melt  them  with  compassion  by  sympathy  with  woe ;  and 
arouse  them  to  experience  the  noblest  and  sublimest 
feelings  by  the  touch  of  his  seraphic  fire.  The  rooms 
were  crowded  Avith  nobility  to  partake  of  the  sacrament, 
and  received  an  accession  to  hear  the  sermon  which  was 
preached  at  the  conclusion  of  the  ordinance.  These  were 
solemn  and  soul-quickening  seasons  ;  many  a  gay  and 
thoughtless  heart  was  arrested,  and  impressed  by  the 
truth;  and  in  those  who  openly  professed  Christ,  the 
flame  of  true  religion  was  increased,  and  exerted  a  warm 
and  inspiring  influence  in  their  respective  circles. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  extremely  fond  of  sacred  music. 
Her  family  was  musical,  and  frequently  entertained  her 
guests  with  singing  and  playing.  She  had  in  early  life 
formed  an  acquaintance  with  the  celebrated  Handel,  who 
Woas  a  great  favourite  with  His  Majesty,  George  II.; 
v/hich,  after  being  suspended  for  many  years,  was 
renewed  about  this  time.  He  had  often  conducted 
private  concerts  at  the  residences  of  the  Duke  of  Eutland, 
the  Earl  of  Burlington,  the  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  and  of 


178         MEMOIE     OF     LADY     HUXTIXGDOX. 

Other  nobles,  wlio  were  patrons  of  music,  and  his  friends. 
He  had  for  some  time  been  afflicted  Avith  blindness  ;  his 
health  was  rapidly  declining ;  and  his  recovery  was 
pronounced  hopeless.  A  great  change  passed  over  his 
mind  and  heart.  He  prepared  for  his  approaching  disso- 
lution with,  great  calmness,  and  often  spoke  of  the 
pleasure  he  had  experienced  in  settiDg  Scripture  to 
music ;  and  the  comfort  and  satisfaction  the  sublime 
passages  of  the  Psalms  had  afforded  him.  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon was  attracted  to  him  by  his  solemn  situation,  and 
anxiously  sought  to  ascertain  the  character  of  his  hope. 
At  his  particular  request,  she  visited  him,  not  long 
before  his  death.  Mr.  Madan,  who  was  highly  musical, 
frequently  came  to  see  him,  and  won  the  confidence  and 
affection  of  the  aged  master.  The  testimony  of  her 
Ladyship  is  very  satisfactory.  ^'He  is  now  old,  and  at 
the  close  of  his  long  career ;  yet  he  is  not  dismayed  at 
the  prospect  before  him.  Blessed  be  God  for  the  comfort 
and  consolations  which  the  Gospel  affords  in  every 
situation,  and  in  every  time  of  our  need.""^'  He  died 
April  13th,  1759,  and  was  interred  in  Westminster 
Abbey,  where  a  splendid  monument  by  Roubilliac,  repre- 
sents him  standing  with  a  scroll  in  his  hand,  on  which 
the  well-  known  passage  from  his  "  Messiah  "  is  inscribed 
— ''  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth." 

The  Countess  was  well  acquainted  with  most  of  the 
eminent  musicians  of  her  times.  Giardini,  whose  won- 
derful execution  on  the  violin  procured  for  him  universal 
admiration,  was  a  great  favourite  with  her  Ladyship. 
Lady  Gertrude  Hotham,  and  Lady  Chesterfield,  who  was 
esteemed  one  of  the  best  amateur  musicians  of  ber  day, 
gave  occasional  concerts  of  sacred  music  at  their  residen- 
ces, where  Giardini's  performance  on  the  violin,  excited 
great  interest,  and  called  forth  most  rapturous  praises. 
At  Lady  Huntingdon's  request,  he  composed  a  few  tunes 
*  Life  caiid  Times,  &c.,  VoL  L  p.  229. 


SACRED     MUSIC.  179 

to  some  of  the  hymns  -Qsed  in  the  chapels ;  and  this 
circumstance  led  Horace  Walpole  to  remark,  "  It  will  be 
a  great  acquisition  to  the  Methodist  sect  to  have  their 
hymns  set  by  Giardini."  Her  Ladj^ship  also  became 
acquainted  with  Giordini,  an  Italian  composer,  who  was 
noted  for  his  thorough  mastery  of  the  English  style  of 
music.  He  also  composed  several  hymn  tunes,  among 
which  is  the  well-known  air  called  ''  Camhridger  Mr. 
Kent,  whose  name  is  intimately  associated  with  some  of 
the  finest  specimens  of  English  Anthems,  was  intimate 
with  the  Countess,  and  the  Methodist  leaders.  His 
Authems  and  hymn -tunes  were  much  used  in  her  Lady- 
ship's chapels,  where,  it  will  be  seen,  the  Countess  paid 
considerable  attention  to  the  "  Psalmody  of  the  Lord's 
House,"  and  cultivated  choral  singing,  by  establishing 
societies  for  the  practice  of  music.  She  greatly  assisted 
the  sons  of  Charles  "Wesley,  who  were  passionately  fond 
of  music ;  especially  Charles,  the  eldest  son,  who  composed 
some  of  his  favourite  tunes  at  the  request  of  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon, and  assisted  in  the  formation  of  her  choral 
societies. 

It  was  during  the  year  1759,  Lady  Huntingdon  became 
acquainted  with  the  celebrated  John  Berridge,  vicar  of 
Everton,  Bedfordshire.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable 
learning  and  ability ;  an  accurate  scholar,  a  thorough 
linguist,  a  distinguished  wit.  He  possessed  a  most  com- 
manding figure,  a  deep  powerful  voice,  a  correct  and 
clear  utterance.  His  countenance  reflected  every  passion 
which  played  on  his  soul,  and  gave  increased  effect  to 
his  pointed  and  sparkling  sentences.  His  addresses  were 
remarkably  original ;  his  style,  clear  and  expressive ;  his 
figures,  often  quaint  but  forcible.  His  doctrines  were 
thoroughly  evangelical,  and  imparted  a  richness  to  his 
discourses,  which  indicated  the  habitual  realization  of  the 
truths  of  the  gospel.  He  was  a  most  devoted  and 
laborious  minister  of  Christ,  and  was  the  means  of  doing 


180  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

much  good  in  the  service  of  his  Master.  His  preaching 
had  created  a  profound  sensation  in  the  county;  and 
vast  numbers  came  many  miles  to  hear  him.  His  church 
became  densely  crowded  ;  the  windows  were  filled  within 
and  without;  and  even  the  pulpit  was  so  surrounded 
with  people  that  the  preacher  seemed  almost  lost  in  the 
crowd.  His  hearers  were  deeply  affected  with  his  stirring 
appeals ;  and  they  often  uttered  loud  piercing  cries,  and 
were  thrown  into  strong  convulsions  by  the  intensity  of 
their  feelings.  The  Eev.  Mr.  Hicks,  vicar  of  "Wrestling- 
worth,  also  attracted  large  crowds  of  persons,  who  were 
aftected  in  a  similar  manner. 

When  Lady  Huntingdon  heard  of  the  remarkable 
scenes  transpiring  at  Everton,  she  requested  Messrs. 
Eomaine  and  Madan  to  repair  thither,  and  investigate  the 
circumstances.  They  were  heartily  welcomed  by  Mr. 
Berridge  and  his  coadjutor,  and  accompanied  them  on 
their  itinerant  excursions.  They  were  astonished  at  what 
they  witnessed,  while  John  Berridge  was  preaching. 
Loud  cries  and  ejaculatory  pra3^ers  burst  from  the  people ; 
many  fell  down  on  the  ground,  some,  senseless  as  if  dead, 
and  others  in  sharp  convulsive  struggles,  as  if  in  the 
agony  of  death  ;  and  men  and  women  wept  aloud,  and 
cried  out  for  mercy.  They  conversed  with  those  who 
had  been  convulsed,  and  found  that  their  minds  had  been 
filled  with  awe,  their  consciences  aroused  and  their  con- 
viction of  their  guilt  brought  home  to  them.  When 
Eomaine  and  Madan  returned  to  London,  John  Wesley 
went  to  Everton,  and  noticed  the  same  symptoms  atten- 
ding the  ministry  of  his  friend,  as  had  resulted  from  his 
early  efforts.     In  a  letter  to  the  Countess  he  says : 

"  Mr.  Berridge  appears  to  be  one  of  the  most  simple  as 
well  as  most  sensible  men  of  all  whom  it  pleased  God  to 
employ  in  reviving  primitive  Christianity.  I  designed  to 
have  spent  but  one  night  with  him ;  but  Mr.  Gilbert's 
mistake,  who  sent  him  word  I  would  be  at  Everton  on 


REV.     JOHN     BERKIDGE.  181 

Friday,  obliged  me  to  stay  there  another  day,  or  multi- 
tudes of  people  would  have  been  disappointed.  They 
come  now  twelve  or  fourteen  miles  to  hear  him ;  and  very 
few  come  in  vain.  His  word  is  with  power ;  he  speaks 
as  plain  and  home  as  John  Nelson,  but  with  all  the  pro- 
priety of  Mr.  Eomaine,  and  the  tenderness  of  Mr.  Hervey. 

At  Colchester,  likewise,  the  word  of  God  has  free 
course,  only  no  house  will  contain  the  congregation.  On 
Sunday  I  was  obliged  to  preach  on  St.  John's-green ;  the 
people  stood  on  a  smooth  sloping  ground,  sheltered  by 
the  walls  of  an  old  castle,  and  behaved  as  men  who  felt 
that  God  was  there." 

AYhen  Mr.  Berridge  was  called  to  preach  before  the 
university  at  Cambridge,  Lady  Huntingdon  prevailed  upon 
Mr.  Fletcher  to  go  to  Everton,  and  stated  her  intention  of 
shortly  proceeding  thither,  to  witness  the  astonishing 
efiects  which  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  had  produced. 
Accompanied  by  Messrs.  Madan  and  Yenn,  she  left  Lon- 
don, and  arrived  at  the  vicarage  late  in  the  evening.  Her 
arrival  had  been  made  known  to  the  people ;  and  at  an 
early  hour  on  the  following  morning,  an  immense  con- 
course of  persons  flocked  to  Everton  from  all  parts.  The 
services  of  the  day  commenced  at  seven  o'clock,  when 
Mr.  Berridge  preached  to  a  large  and  attentive  congrega- 
tion in  a  spacious  field.  At  eleven,  Mr.  Hicks  read  prayers 
in  the  church,  and  Mr.  Venn  preached  from  the  text, 
"  There  is  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God  over 
one  sinner  that  repenteth."  In  the  afternoon,  the  crowd 
was  so  great  that  the  church  could  not  contain  one-fifth 
of  the  people  ;  and  Mr.  Madan  preached  to  the  multitudes 
in  the  open  air.  The  next  day,  the  number  of  the  people 
was  greatly  augmented,  the  church  was  crowded  to  excess, 
and  those  who  were  unable  to  gain  admittance  Avere  ad- 
dressed by  Mr.  Berridge.  The  arrival  of  Lady  Hunting- 
don, and  the  preaching  of  the  ministers  who  accompanied 
her,  attracted  great  attention.     The  report  soon  spread 

16 


182         MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGD0:N'. 

round  the  country ;  and  on  the  third  day  more  than  ten 
thousand  persons  assembled  to  hear  the  gospel.  Mr.  Yenn 
preached  with  remarkable  power  from  the  words  of 
Jeremiah,  ''  The  harvest  is  past,  the  summer  is  cDded  ; 
and  we  are  not  saved."  Crowds  came  pouring  in  from  all 
parts  during  the  day ;  and  in  the  evening,  Mr.  Berridge 
addressed  them  from  the  words,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of 
God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world."  Towards 
the  close  of  the  sermon,  five  persons  fell  down  at  once,  as 
if  dead ;  which  created  an  intense  excitement  in  the  con- 
gregation. Lady  Huntingdon  was  deeply  impressed 
with  what  she  had  witnessed ;  and  leaving  Mr.  Madan  at 
Everton,  she  returned  to  London  with  Messrs.  Fletcher, 
Yenn,  and  Berridge,  whom  she  wished  to  introduce  to 
the  religious  circles  of  the  metropolis.  During  his  stay 
in  London,  Mr.  Berridge  preached  in  some  of  the  city 
churches,  expounded  almost  every  morning  and  evening 
at  Lady  Huntiugdon's  mansion,  and  gave  occasional 
lectures  at  the  residences  of  Lady  Gertrude  Hotham,  and 
Lady  Fanny  Shirley. 

Shortly  after  her  return  to  London,  the  Countess 
visited  the  Magdalen  Hospital,  in  the  company  of  the 
Prince  Edward,  afterwards  Duke  of  York.  A  distin- 
guished party  was  formed  at  Northumberland  House  for 
the  purpose  of  attending  an  evening  service  in  the  chapel. 
The  Prince  was  accompanied  by  a  select  circle  of  friends, 
among  whom  were  Lord  Huntingdon  and  Horace  Wal- 
pole ;  and  was  conducted  to  a  state  arm-chair,  near  which 
Lady  Huntingdon,  her  daughter  Lady  Selina,  and  Ladies 
Faony  Shirley,  Hotham,  and  Chesterfield  were  seated. 
The  Magdalens,  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  in  number, 
sung  a  hymn  on  his  entrance ;  and  Dr.  Dodd,  whose 
melancholy  end,  some  years  after,  excited  such  interest 
amoDg  all  classes,  preached  an  eloquent  and  impressive 
sermon,  which  was  afterwards  published  by  the  express 
desire  of  the  Prince.     After  his  service,  his  Eoyal  High- 


THE     MAGDALEN     HOSPITAL.  183 

ness  retired  to  tlie  parlour,  and  conversed  for  a  short  time 
with  Lady  Huntingdon  and  Ladj  Chesterfield,  on  the 
importance  of  the  institution,  and  the  merits  of  the  ser- 
mon. At  the  time  of  his  departure,  some  nobleman 
observed  to  Lord  Hertford,  that  he  thought  the  sermon 
savoured  a  good  deal  of  Methodism.  His  Lordship  was 
about  to  reply,  when  the  Prince,  who  had  overheard  the 
remark,  turned  hastily  round  and  said  :  "  Your  Lordship 
must  be  fastidious  indeed  ;  I  thought  the  discourse  excel- 
lent, and  well  adapted  to  this  most  useful  institution ;  a 
sentiment  in  which  Lady  Huntingdon,  I  am  most  happy 
to  say,  cordially  coincides  with  me.  Her  Ladyship  I 
suspect  is  much  better  versed  in  theology  than  either  of 
us."  The  astonished  noble  bowed,  and  the  Prince  with- 
drew. 

Lady  Huntingdon  continued  in  London  till  June  1760, 
and  was  greatly  affected  by  a  very  painful  and  distressing 
occurrence,  which  threw  a  deep  shade  over  the  extensive 
acquaintance  of  the  Shirley  family.  She  was,  however, 
usefull}^  engaged  in  her  good  work,  and  rarely  allowed 
relative  affliction  to  interfere  with  her  labours  for  the 
diffusion  of  the  truth.  Her  chaplain,  George  Whitefield, 
had  visited  Brighton,  and  preached  in  the  fields  to  large 
assemblies;  and  was  succeeded  by  those  excellent  men 
whom  her  Ladyship  had  taken  under  her  patronage  and 
protection.  The  enemies  of  Whitefield  employed  the 
celebrated  actor,  Foote,  to  ridicule  him  in  a  most  profane 
and  ludicrous  manner  on  the  stage  of  Drury  Lane  Thea- 
tre. His  success  there,  and  his  pecuniary  embarrassments, 
induced  him  to  write  and  bring  out  at  the  Haymarket 
Theatre,  a  ridiculous  comedy,  called  "  The  Minora  It 
was  intended  to  take  ofi*  the  Methodists ;  but  it  is  suffi- 
cient to  say  of  it,  that  Foote  and  his  agents,  employed  to 
procure  materials  for  the  work  from  the  chapels  where 
AVhitefield  preached,  were  so  ignorant  of  the  Scriptures, 
that  what  they  paraded  and  ridiculed  as  Whitefield's  pecu- 


184  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

liar  language,  were  portions  of  tlie  word  of  God!  Mr. 
Madan  addressed  a  letter  to  Garrick  on  tlie  intended  rep- 
resention  of  this  comedy,  which  had  a  very  extensive 
circulation ;  and  Lady  Huntingdon  waited  on  the  Lord 
Chamberlain  to  apply  for  the  suppression  of  the  ^'  Minora 
Her  request  could  not  then  be  granted ;  but  his  Lordship 
assured  her  that,  if  he  had  had  any  intimation  of  its  evil 
tendency,  previous  to  its  being  licensed,  the  play  should 
never  have  appeared.  The  Countess  next  sought  an  in- 
terview with  Garrick,  with  whom  her  remonstrance  was 
so  far  successful,  that  he  promised  to  use  his  influence  in 
excluding  it  for  the  present,  and  added  that,  had  he  been 
aware  of  the  offence  it  was  calculated  to  give,  it  should 
never  have  appeared  with  his  consent.  The  opposition 
and  ridicule  which  Whitefield  met  with,  only  increased 
his  popularity,  and  brought  thousands  of  fresh  hearers  to 
his  chapels.  About  this  period,  he  frequently  preached  on 
behalf  of  the  poor  French  Protestants  in  Prussia,  who 
had  suffered  severely  from  the  cruelty  of  the  Eussians  in 
the  Seven  Years^  War.  Great  numbers  of  the  nobility, 
and  the  highest  officers  of  the  crown  went  to  hear  him 
on  these  occasions,  when  he  collected  upwards  of  fifteen 
hundred  pounds ;  for  which  act  of  benevolence  he  re- 
ceived the  thanks  of  his  Prussian  Majesty,  Frederick  the 
Great. 

In  September  1760,  Lady  Huntingdon  accompanied 
Mr.  Eomaine  into  Yorkshire,  on  a  visit  to  Mr.  and  Lady 
^Margaret  Ingham  at  Aberford.  Eomaine  had  before 
visited  that  part  of  England,  and,  as  her  Ladyship's  chap- 
lain, had  received  the  most  marked  attention.  He  was 
much  attached  to  Mr.  Ingham,  who  was  a  student  at  Ox- 
ford, while  he  was  at  the  university,  though  Eomaine 
then  had  no  sympathy  with  the  Methodists.  In  his  ex- 
cursions into  the  neighbouring  towns,  he  was  often  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  Ingham  ;  he  preached  wherever  he  could 
obtain  a  church,  and  occasionally  in  some  of  the  chapels ; 


MR.    ROMATNE    IN     YORKSHIRE.  185 

and  sometimes  attended  the  meetings  of  the  preachers  to 
regulate  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  churches.  He 
was  also  much  attached  to  Lady  Margaret  Ingham,  who, 
with  her  characteristic  benevolence  and  kindness,  fre- 
quently ministered  to  his  temporal  necessities,  and  added 
to  the  scanty  stipend  he  received  from  the  cliurch.  Lady 
Huntingdon's  journey  to  Yorkshire  Avas  partly  occasioned 
by  the  confusion  which  was  then  prevailing  amongst 
the  societies  there,  from  repeated  discussions  on  church 
government  and  discipline.  Mr.  Ligham  had  readSande- 
man's  ^'Letters  on  Thero7iand  Aspasio,''^  and  Glass's  "  Testi- 
mony to  the  King  of  Martyrs  ;'^  and  he  sent  Mr.  Batty  and 
Mr.  Allen,  two  of  his  distinguished  preachers,  to  Scotland, 
to  obtain  privately  more  information  respecting  their 
principles.  On  their  return,  they  adopted  the  Sandema- 
nian  views ;  and  warm  debates  took  place  among  the 
societies  respecting  the  nature  of  a  true  church.  Mr. 
Allen  made  the  first  breach.  He  expressed  his  dissatis- 
faction with  the  use  of  the  lot  for  voting-in  the  members, 
objected  to  the  choice  of  elders,  and  became  jealous  of  the 
authority  which  Mr.  Ingham  exercised  over  the  people. 
Mr.  Ingham  remained  firm  to  his  principles,  and  desired 
the  dissentients  to  withdraw  from  his  societies.  Many 
attempts  were  made-  to  reconcile  the  parties  and  prevent 
the  schism ;  Lady  Huntingdon  wrote,  and  visited  York- 
shire with  Eomaine ;  Whitefield  prayed  and  wept :  but 
all  was  in  vain.  Mr.  Ingham  never  recovered  from  the 
severe  trial  through  which  he  passed  on  this  occasion. 
Disputes  became  more  frequent  and  violent ;  excommuni- 
cation quickly  followed  excommunication ;  the  whole 
body  was  shattered  into  a  thousand  pieces,  like  a  wrecked 
vessel ;  and  out  of  more  than  eighty  flourishing  churches 
only  thirteen  remained  true  to  the  great  principles  they 
had  embraced. 

Mr.  Yenn  had  left  the  scene  of  his  labours  in  London, 
and  had,  in  1759,  accepted  the  large  and  valuable  living 


186         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

of  Iladclersfield,  Yorksliire.  He  found  his  parish  in  a 
yery  benighted  condition,  and  energetically  commenced 
his  labours  to  enlighten  the  people.  He  threw  his  whole 
soul  into  the  work.  Sometimes  he  began  the  service  by 
addressing  his  hearers,  and  reminding  them  they  were  in 
the  presence  of  God,  and  therefore  should  be  devout  and 
prayerful.  Often  he  explained  and  enforced  the  Psalms 
and  Lessons  for  the  day,  and  breathed  forth  his  love  and 
compassion  for  the  souls  of  his  hearers.  During  the 
week,  he  visited  the  different  hamlets  in  his  extensive 
parish,  collected  some  of  the  inhabitants  in  private 
houses,  and  addressed  them  with  an  earnestness  and 
kindness  that  moved  every  heart.  Many  young  persons 
were  among  the  first-fruits  of  his  ministry ;  and  of  these, 
at  least  thirteen  became  useful,  and  some  of  them  very 
eminent  ministers,  chiefly  in  the  Independent  denomina- 
tion. He  had  been  preaching  for  a  short  time,  with  Mr. 
Fletcher,  at  Brighton,  and  returned  to  Yorkshire  with 
Lady  Huntingdon.  He  was  deeply  grieved  at  the  fatal 
results  of  the  dreadful  division,  which  had  scattered  so 
many  flourishing  churches,  and  caused  the  enemies  of  the 
cross  to  triumph ;  and  made  many  efforts  to  mitigate  the 
evil.  Whitefield  also,  who  had  recently  sent  a  poor 
orphan  to  Georgia,  which  Lady  Huntingdon  supported, 
arrived  at  Aberford ;  but  all  their  united  efforts  to  restore 
peace  and  order  were  ineffectual. 

Mr.  Fletcher  could  not  join  the  Countess  in  Yorkshire 
but  frequently  wrote  to  her,  and  acknowledged  how 
greatly  he  was  indebted  to  her  "  for  what  light  he  had  into 
the  nature  of  the  foundation  of  Christianity."  When 
at  Tern  Hall,  he  had  often  taken  the  duty  for  Mr.  Cham- 
bers, vicar  of  Madeley :  and  as  the  place  was  ten  miles 
distant,  the  groom  was  ordered  to  get  a  horse  ready  for 
him  every  Sunday  morning ;  but  so  great  was  his  aver- 
sion to  give  any  trouble,  that  if  the  groom  did  not  hap- 
pen to  wake  at  the  proper  time,  he  prepared  the  horse 


ANECDOTES     OF     FLETCHER.  187 

with  his  own  hands,  and  quietly  departed.  One  day  Mr. 
Hill  informed  him  that  the  living  at  Dunham,  Cheshire, 
was  then  vacant,  and  at  his  service.  The  parish  was 
small,  the  duty  light,  the  income  good,  about  four  hun- 
dred a  year,  and  the  locality  healthy  and  beautiful.  Mr. 
Fletcher  thanked  his  generous  patron,  and  said,  ^^  Alas  ! 
sir,  Dunham  will  not  suit  me ;  there  is  too  much 
money,  and  too  little  labour."  "  Pew  clergymen  make 
such  objections,"  replied  Mr.  Hill :  "  it  is  a  pity  to  decline 
such  a  living,  as  I  do  not  know  that  I  can  find  you  another. 
What  shall  we  do  ?  "Would  you  like  Madeley !  "  That, 
sir,  would  be  the  very  place  for  me."  ''  My  object,  Mr. 
Fletcher,  is  to  make  you  comfortable  in  your  own  way. 
If  you  prefer  Madeley,  I  shall  find  no  difiSculty  in  per- 
suading Chambers  to  exchange  it  for  Dunham,  which  is 
worth  more  than  twice  as  much."  The  exchange  was 
soon  effected ;  and  Mr.  Fletcher  wrote  to  Lady  Hunting- 
don in  Yorkshire  an  account  of  his  call  to  Madeley.  He 
enumerates  the  indications  of  the  providence  of  God  in 
leading  him  to  the  colliers  and  forgemen  of  that  town. 
He  says : — 

"  The  time  is  come — the  church  is  vacated — the  pre- 
sentation to  it  brought,  unasked  for,  into  my  hands — the 
difficulty  of  getting  proper  testimonials,  which  I  looked 
upon  as  insurmountable,  vanishes  at  once — the  three 
clergymen  that  had  opposed  me  with  most  bitterness, 
signed  them,  and  the  Bishop  of  Lichfield  countersigns 
them  without  the  least  objection — the  lord  of  the  manor, 
my  great  opposer,  leaves  the  parish — and  the  very  man, 
the  vicar,  who  told  me  I  should  never  preach  in  that 
church,  now  recommends  me  to  it,  and  tells  me  he  will 
induct  me  himself.  Are  not  these  indications  of  the  will 
of  God  ?  It  seems  so  to  me.  What  does  your  Ladyship 
think  of  it  ?  I  long  to  go  and  consult  you  in  Yorkshire, 
but  cannot  do  it  now,  without  giving  up  the  point  on 
which  I  want  vour  advice." 


188  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Some   time   before   his   induction,  on  liis  journey  to 
London   with  his   pupils,  Fletcher    determined   to   avail 
himself  of  the  opportunity  to  call  upon  John  Berridge 
at  Everton.     He  introduced  himself  as  a  new  convert, 
who  wished  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  his  experience  and 
advice.     Berridge  perceived  by  his  accent  that  he  was  a 
foreigner,  and  inquired  from  what  country  he  came.     He 
replied  that  he  was  a  Swiss,  from  the  Canton  of  Berne. 
''From  Berne?"  asked  Berridge,    ''then,  probably,  3^ou 
can  give  me  some  account  of  a  young  countryman  of 
yours,  one  John  Fletcher,  who  has  lately  preached  a  few 
times  for  the  Wesleys,  and  of  whose  talents,  learning; 
and  piety  they  both  speak  in  terms  of  high  eulogy.     Do 
you.  know  him  ?  "     ''  Yes,  sir,  I  know  him  intimately  ; 
and  did  those  gentlemen  know  him  as  well,  they  would 
not  speak  of  him  in  such  terms,  for  which  he  is  more 
obliged   to    their   partial    friendship    than   to    his    own 
merits."     ''You  surprise    me,"  said  Mr.    Berridge,  "in 
speaking  so  coldly  of  a  countryman  in  whose  praise  they 
are  so  warm."     "  I  have  the    best  reason "  he    replied, 
"  for  speaking  of  him  as  I  do  : — I  am  John  Fletcher."  "  If 
you  be  John  Fletcher"  exclaimed  Berridge,  "  you  must 
do  me  the  favour  of  taking  my  pulpit  to-morrow ;  and 
when  we    are  better  acquainted,  without  implicitly  re- 
ceiving your  statement,  or  that  of  your  friends,  I  shall 
be  able  to  judge  for  myself."     An  intimacy  soon  sprung 
up  between  these  two  distinguished  men,  the  commence- 
ment of  which  has  been  seen,  and  which  was  not  inter- 
rupted by  the  violent  storms  of  controversy. 


BRIGHTON     CHAPEL.  189 


CHAPTER  XL    A.D.  1760—1762. 

ERECTION  OF  BRIGHTON  CHAPEL. — THE  FAST-DAY. — RO- 
MAINE. — LADY  HUNTINGDON'S  CHARITY. — ANECDOTE  OF 
BERRIDGE. — BISHOP  OF  LINCOLN. — THE  CHAPEL  AT  OAT- 
HALL. — CAPTAIN  SCOTT. — ANECDOTE  OF  OLD  ABRAHAM. 
— LADY  HUNTINGDON  IN  YORKSHIRE. — DR.  CONYERS. — 
ARCHBISHOP  OF  YORK. — LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  BRIGH- 
TON.—  ROMAINE,  FLETCHER,  BERRIDGE. — DEATH  OF 
GRIFFITH  JONES,  AND  MR.  JONES  OF  ST.  SAVIOUR'S 
CHURCH. 

The  attention  of  Lady  Huntingdon  Avas  now  given  to 
the  erection  of  Chapels  in  various  localities,  where  places 
of  worship  were  required.  The  prejudice  of  the  clergy 
against  her  zealous  efforts  to  bring  the  perishing  to 
Christ,  had  almost  completely  shut  up  the  churches  to 
her  ministers ;  and  if  she  persevered  in  her  work,  she  was 
reduced  to  the  alternative  of  either  confining  her  labours 
to  open  air  services,  when  the  weather  permitted,  or 
establishing  commodious  chapels,  which  would  afford  a 
home  to  those  who  had  been  impressed  with  the  truth, 
and  desired  to  become  better  acquainted  with  the  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel.  She  chose  the  latter  mode  of  proce- 
dure, and  commenced  her  efforts  at  Brighton.  The 
preaching  of  Whitefield,  Yenn,  Eomaine,  and  Fletcher, 
had  been  greatly  blessed  to  the  people.  Many  had  been 
convinced  of  their  sins,  and  reformed  in  their  lives ;  the 
number  of  hearers  had  steadily  increased ;  and  a  small 
Christian  Society  had  been  formed  among  them,  whose 
members  frequentl}^  met  for  prayer,  praise,  and  reading 
the  Scriptures.     The   promising  state  of  affairs  in  this 


190         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDOX. 

town,  induced  Lady  Huntingdon  to  erect  a  small  but 
neat  cliapel  contiguous  to  her  house,  on  the  site  of  the 
present  noble  building  in  Korth  Street.  She  defrayed 
the  expense  of  it,  either  wholly  or  in  part,  by  the  sale  of 
her  jewels  to  the  amount  of  Six  hundred  and  ninty-eight 
'pounds,  fifteen  shillings. 

The  chapel  was  opened  in  the  summer  of  1761  by  the 
Eev.  Martin  Madan,  and  was  for  some  time  solely  sup- 
plied by  clergymen  of  the  Church  of  England.  Messrs. 
Eomaine,  Berridge,  Venn  and  Fletcher,  successively  took 
the  charge  of  the  congregation,  and  preached  with  great- 
acceptance  to  the  people.  The  Countess  had  a  very  warm 
attachment  to  the  Liturgy,  which  then  formed  a  distin- 
guishing feature  of  all  her  chapels  ;  and  she  always  con- 
sidered herself,  her  ministers,  and  congregations,  members 
of  the  Established  Church.  The  labours  of  the  apostolic 
men  who  assisted  her,  soon  raised  a  storm  of  persecution 
ao:ainst  them ;  their  doctrines  were  offensive  to  the  world- 
ly-minded;  their  zeal,  to  the  slothful;  and  their  stirring 
addresses,  to  those  who  were  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins. 
Many  attempts  were  made  to  intimidate  them,  and  pre- 
vent them  preaching  the  gospel ;  but  they  continued  their 
useful  efforts  in  the  most  undaunted  manner,  regardless 
of  the  torrents  of  reproach  which  were  continually  dash- 
ing against  them.  The  Great  Head  of  the  Church  pro- 
tected his  servants,  and  cheered  them  onward  in  their 
career,  by  making  them  the  instruments  of  converting 
many  souls,  and  establishing  them  in  the  faith. 

Whitefield  was  prevented,  by  a  serious  indisposition, 
being  at  Brighton  on  this  joyful  occasion.  He  had  been 
zealously  employed  all  the  winter  in  London,  at  his  own 
cliapcls,  and  at  Lady  Huntingdon's  house.  On  the  day 
appointed  for  a  general  fast,  February  13th,  1761,  he 
preached  twice  at  the  Tabernacle,  and  once  at  Tottenham 
Court  Chapel,  and  collected  nearly  six  hundred  pounds 
for  the    relief  of  the  German   Protestants,  and  the  suf- 


E  R  I  G  11  T  O  N     C  H  A  P  E  L  .  191 

ferers  by  a  dreadful  fire  at  Boston.  The  attendance  of 
the  nobility  was  very  large.  Lady  Huntingdon  prevailed 
upon  man}^,  who  otherwise  never  would  have  entered  the 
place,  to  hear  her  gifted  chaplain.  Lady  Chesterfield,  Lady 
Gertrude  Hotham,  and  Lady  Fanny  Shirley,  also  took 
large  parties  of  the  nobility  with  them,  who  expressed 
themselves  highly  delighted  with  his  discourses.  Lord 
Halifax,  and  Lord  Holderness,  then  Secretary  of  State, 
tlie  personal  friends  of  the  Countess,  were  present ;  also 
the  Duke  of  Grafton,  so  vehemently  attacked  in  the  elo- 
quent ^'Letters^^  of  ^'Junius  ;'''  and  Charles  Fox  and  Wil- 
liam Pitt,  the  two  greatest  men  of  their  day.  Few  places 
could  boast  of  such  a  brilliant  assemblage  of  men,  who 
were  distinguished  for  genius,  wisdom  or  oratorical 
powers,  as  was  convened  in  these  humble  chapels  to  listen 
to  the  genuine  eloquence  of  Whitefield.  The  health  of 
this  gifted  preacher,  however,  was  greatly  shattered  by 
repeated  colds,  which  even  threatened  his  life ;  and 
during  the  whole  of  this  year,  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  next,  he  was  obliged  to  remain  quiet  and  to  preach 
only  occasionally. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  now  less  dependent  than  hith- 
erto upon  her  first  chaplain,  to  carry  on  the  great  work 
she  had  commenced.  God  had  been  pleased  to  raise  up 
many  zealous  labourers  in  his  vineyard,  who  sympa- 
thized with  her  in  her  plans,  and  warmly  co-operated 
with  her  in  her  efforts.  Romaine  was  her  second  chap- 
lain, and  was  indefatigable  in  carrying  out  her  inten- 
tions. He  had  itinerated  for  her  through  several  parts 
of  England,  preached  with  much  acceptance  to  her  draw- 
ing-room assemblies,  and  was  ever  her  adviser  and  coad- 
jutor. They  both  harmoniously  strove  to  carry  out 
the  same  grand  object;  the  one  by  her  influence  and 
wealth,  the  other  by  his  zeal  and  diligence.  His  ser- 
vices were  thoroughly,  disinterestedly  given,  and  were 
rendered  without  the  least  expectation  of  any  remuner- 


192  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

ation ;  for,  to  his  honor  be  it  said,  all  he  would  receive 
from  her  Ladyship  barely  paid  his  journeys  and  expenses. 
Neither  of  her  chaplains  were  enriched,  in  a  pecuniary 
point  of  view,  by  the  services  they  rendered  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon, They  discerned  too  clearly  their  reward  from 
their  heavenly  Master  to  be  eager  for  the  rewards  of 
earth  ;  and  they  witnessed  with  pleasure  the  sums,  which 
might  have  been  lavished  on  them,  employed  for  the 
noblest  purposes.  The  Countess  was  liberal,  even  to 
excess.  All  she  possessed  she  devoted  to  the  service  of 
Christ ;  and  though  she  knew  that  it  was  a  duty  to  feed 
the  hungry  and  clothe  the  naked,  she  employed  her 
wealth  chiefly  to  bring  the  gospel  to  those  who  were 
perishing  in  their  sins.  One  of  her  ministers,  the  Eev. 
John  Eyre,  relates  that  he  once  conversed  with  her 
respecting  the  wants  of  a  family  who  appeared  to  be  in 
great  distress.  Lady  Huntingdon  said,  "  I  can  do  for 
them  but  very  little.  I  am  obliged  to  be  a  spectator  of 
miseries  which  I  pity,  but  cannot  relieve.  For  when  I 
gave  myself  up  to  the  Lord,  I  likewise  devoted  to  him 
all  my  fortune ;  with  this  reserve,  that  I  would  take  with 
a  sparing  hand  what  might  be  necessarj^  for  my  food  and 
raiment,  and  for  the  support  of  my  children,  should  they 
live  to  be  reduced.  I  was  led  to  this  from  a  consideration, 
that  there  were  many  benevolent  persons  who  had  no 
religion,  who  would  feel  for  the  temporal  miseries  of 
others,  and  help  them  ;  but  few,  even  among  professors, 
who  had  a  proper  concern  for  the  awful  condition  of 
ignorant  and  perishing  souls.  What,  therefore,  I  can 
save,  for  a  while,  out  of  my  own  necessaries,  I  will  give 
^hem  ;  but  more  I  dare  not  take  without  being  guilty  of 
sacrilege." 

The  Kev.  John  Berridge  was  a  particular  favourite 
with  her  Ladyship.  Her  conversation  and  correspond- 
ence with  him  were  greatly  blessed  to  him  ;  and  were  the 
means  of  Icadinj  him  to  obtain  clearer  views  of  salvation, 


BISHOP     OF     LINCOLN.  193 

and  of  stimulating  liim  to  preach  the  gospel  with  greater 
boldness  and  power.  He  was  indefatigable  in  his  labours ; 
and  for  twenty-four  years  he  continued  to  ride  nearly 
one  hundred  miles,  and  preach  a  dozen  sermons  every 
week.  He  was  also  exceedingly  liberal;  and  employed 
in  the  service  of  Christ  all  the  income  arising  from  his 
vicarage  and  fellowship. 

At  homC;  his  house  and  stables  were  thrown  open  to 
his  hearers  who  came  from  a  distance  ;  and  abroad,  houses 
and  barns  were  rented,  lay-preachers  supplied,  and  their 
travelling  expenses  paid  out  of  his  own  purse.  His  ear 
was  ever  attentive  to  the  tale  of  woe,  his  eye  keen  to 
detect  misery,  his  heart  ready  to  sympathize,  and  his 
hand  open  to  relieve.  He  was  a  man  of  great  boldness 
and  power,  and  was  rarely  intimidated.     He  says : — 

"  Soon  after  I  began  to  preach  the  gospel  at  Ever  ton 
the  churches  in  the  neighbourhood  were  deserted,  and 
mine  so  over  crowded,  that  the  squire,  who  'did  not  like 
strangers,'  he  said,  '  and  hated  to  be  incommoded,'  joined 
with  the  offended  parsons,  and  soon  after,  a  complaint 
having  been  made  against  me,  I  was  summoned  before 
the  Bishop.  '  Well,  Berridge,'  said  his  Lordship,  '  did  1 
institute  you  to  Eaton  or  Potten?  Why  do  you  go 
preaching  out  of  your  own  parish?'  'My  Lord,'  said  1, 
*  I  make  no  claims  to  the  living  of  those  parishes ;  'tis 
true,  I  was  once  at  Eaton,  and  finding  a  few  poor  people 
assembled,  I  admonished  them  to  repent  of  their  sins,  and 
to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  salvation  of 
their  souls.  At  that  very  moment,  my  Lord,  there  were 
•five  or  six  clergymen  out  of  their  own  parishes,  and 
enjoying  themselves  on  the  Eaton  bowling-green.'  'I 
tell  you,'  retorted  his  Lordship,  'that  if  you  continue 
preaching  where  you  have  no  right,  you  will  very  likely 
be  sent  to  Huntingdon  goal.'  '  I  have  no  more  regard, 
ray  Lord,  for  a  goal  than  other  folks,'  rejoined  I ;  '  but  I 

ir 


194  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

had  rather  go  there  with  a  good  conscience,  than  be  at 
liberty  without  one.'  His  Lordship  looked  very  hard  at 
me/  '  Poor  fellow  I'  said  he,  'you  are  beside  yourself,  and 
in  a  few  months  you  will  be  either  better  or  worse.' 
'  Then,  my  Lord,'  said  I,  'you  may  make  yourself  quite 
happy  in  this  business ;  for  if  I  should  be  better,  you 
suppose  I  shall  desist  of  my  own  accord ;  and  if  worse, 
you  need  not  send  me  to  Huntingdon  goal,  for  I  shall  be 
better  accommodated  in  Bedlam.'  His  Lordship  then 
pathetically  entreated  .  me,  as  one  who  had  been  and 
wished  to  continue  my  friend,  not  to  embitter  the 
remaining  portion  of  his  days  by  any  squabbles  with  my 
brother  clergymen,  but  to  go  home  to  my  ^^arish,  and 
stated  that  so  long  as  I  kept  within  it,  I  should  be  at 
liberty  to  do  what  I  liked  there.  'As  to  your  con- 
science,' said  his  Lordship,  'you  know  that  preaching 
out  of  your  parish  is  contrary  to  the  canons  of  the 
Church.'  *  There  is  one  canon,  my  Lord,'  said  I,  '  which 
I  dare  not  disobey,  and  that  says,  Go,  preach  the  Gospel 
to  every  creature^  " 

Though  the  Bishop  was  greatly  displeased,  Berridge 
gave  him  little  concern  about  the  affair,  and  the  subject 
soon  after  dropped.  An  old  friend,  who  was  very  inti- 
mate with  William  Pitt,  urged  that  distinguished  states- 
man to  apply  to  the  Bishop  on  behalf  of  Berridge,  who 
was  thus  enabled  to  triumph  over  his  enemies.  Though 
the  vicar  of  Everton  attributed  his  success  to  the  influence 
of  Pitt,  it  is  evident  that  Lady  Huntingdon  aided  in 
securing  the  happy  result.  The  Lord  Chancellor  Henley, 
who  had  promoted  the  Bishop  to  the  see  of  Lincoln,  was 
a  personal  friend  of  her  Ladyship,  who  applied  to  him  to 
use  his  influence  with  the  learned  prelate  on  behalf  of 
Berridge.  To  this  Mr.  Grimshaw  alludes  in  a  letter, 
when  he  says,  "  May  the  Lord  eternally  bless  that  dear, 
good,  honourable  Lady  Huntingdon,  who  would  defend  a 


OATH  ALL.  195 

persecuted  minister  of  Clirist  to  the  last  gown  on  her 
back,  and  the  last  shilling  in  her  pocket  I " 

Another  place  of  worship  was  opened  by  the  Countess 
during  the  year  1761.  Among  the  numbers,  attracted  by 
the  fame  of  the  preaching  at  her  Ladyship's  chapel  at 
Brighton,  were  many  farmers  and  country  people  from 
the  wilds  of  Sussex.  Some  of  them  were  deeply  impres- 
sed with  the  truth,  and  entreated  the  Countess  to  afford 
them  the  opportunity  of  hearing  the  same  glorious  doc- 
trines nearer  home.  She  was  as  willing  to  spread  the 
joyful  sound  of  salvation  as  they  could  be  to  hear  it,  and 
only  wished  to  find  a  suitable  place  in  which  to  erect  the 
standard  of  the  Cross.  Providence  now  seemed  to  point 
out  the  way.  An  old  gentleman,  named  Warden,  a  well- 
known  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  county  of  Sussex,  then 
occupied  the  mansion  of  Oathall,  near  Cuckfield,  which 
had  formerly  belonged  to  the  Shirley  family.  Hearing  of 
her  desire  to  introduce  the  gospel  into  the  wilds  of  Sussex, 
he  waited  on  her  Ladyship,  and  offered  to  let  his  house 
for  a  term  of  years  for  the  very  purpose  she  meditated. 
The  agreement  was  speedily  drawn  up  ;  and  the  Countess 
took  possession  of  the  premises,  fitted  up  the  large  hall 
for  a  chapel,  and  furnished  the  upper  rooms  for  her  own 
residence,  and  the  accommodation  of  the  ministers  whom 
she  invited  thither.  Here  her  zealous  coadjutors  preached 
the  gospel,  with  great  success,  among  a  people  who  loved 
the  simple  truths  of  the  Bible.  The  labours  of  the  Eev. 
W.  Eomaine  were  particularly  crowned  with  success. 
He  wrote  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  "  Such  a  time  I  scarce 
ever  knew  as  we  have  had  at  Oathall.  I  met  the  society 
twice,  and  had  spoken  with  them  one  by  one  for  two  Sun- 
days before  we  had  the  sacrament ;  we  were  about  one 
hundred  communicants  fed  at  the  Lord's  table.  It  was  a 
feast  indeed  ;  he  not  only  made  us  welcome  to  the  bread 
and  cup  of  salvation,  but  also  vouchsafed  his  divine 
presence,  and  gave  us  blessed  foretastes  of  the  marriage 


196         MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

supper.     Surely  Oathall  is  a  iiiglily  favoured  place,  where 
the  Lord  himself  delighteth  to  dwell." 

During  the  stay  of  this  eminent  minister  at  Oathall,  he 
became  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  Captain  Scott, 
afterwards  a  noted  preacher  of  the  gospel.  The  Captain  had 
seen  distinguished  service  in  Germany,  and  was  deeply 
impressed  with  the  danger  to  which  his  profession  ex- 
posed him.  He  had  experienced  many  seasons  of  religi- 
ous anxiety,  and  had  often  formed  resolutions  to  live  a 
holy  life.  These  he  had  repeatedly  endeavoured  to  carry 
out ;  but  all  his  works  could  not  quiet  his  conscience,  and 
satisfy  his  heart.  The  Captain  happened  to  be  quartered 
with  his  regiment  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Oath  all ;  and 
when  on  a  shooting  excursion,  he  was  driven  by  a  storm 
to  seek  shelter  at  the  house  of  a  farmer,  with  whom  some 
of  the  horses  of  the  regiment  were  at  grass,  where  he 
was  kindly  and  hospitably  entertained.  The  farmer 
being  a  pious  man,  and  Scott  happening  to  be  at  the  time 
in  what  he  termed  a  "  religious  mood^^  the  conversation 
took  a  serious  turn,  and  resulted  in  an  importunate  invi- 
tation by  the  farmer  for  him  to  hear  the  Rev.  W.  Romaine, 
whom  he  represented  as  a  very  extraordinary  man,  and 
now  preaching  for  Lady  Huntingdon  at  the  Hall.  Cap- 
tain Scott  accepted  the  invitation,  and  accordingly  repaired 
thither  on  the  following  Sunday.  He  was  there  struck 
with  the  solemnity  which  pervaded  the  congregation,  and 
the  impressive  manner  in  which  the  service  was  conducted. 
Romaine  preached  from  our  Lord's  words,  "I  am  the 
way."  The  message  was  exactly  suited  to  the  case  of  the 
soldier ;  and  God,  who  in  his  good  providence  had  brought 
him  to  hear  it,  by  the  power  of  his  grace  made  it  effectual 
to  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  From  that  time  commenced 
the  happy  change,  for  which  hundreds,  who  have  been 
called  under  his  ministry,  have  had  reason  to  bless  God.  He 
retained  his  military  profession,  though  his  altered  con- 
duct exposed  him  to  many  annoyances  in  the  army ;  as 


CAPTAIN     SCOTT.  197 

lie  was  marching  tlirongli  Leicester  with  his  regiment,  he 
opened  his  commission  as  a  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  • 
and  wherever  he  was  stationed,  he   boldly  preached  the 
gospel  in  his  regimentals.     Whitefield  invited  him  to  his 
London  pulpits,    ''to  bring  his  artillery  to  Tabernacle 
rampart,  and  try  what  execution  he  can  do  here."     Ro- 
maine  greatly  encouraged  him  to  persevere  in  his  course, 
and  advised  him  to  accept  the  invitation  of  Whitefield. 
A  tremendous  storm  of  thunder  and  lightning  burst  over 
him  as  he  entered  London  ;  which  he  regarded  as  an  in- 
dication of  the  divine  displeasure.     He,  however,  came  to 
the  Tabernacle,  where  an  immense  crowd  was  assembled 
to  hear  the  red-coated  preacher.     The  sight  of  the  vast 
audience  completely  unnerved  him  ;  his  utterance  failed  ; 
his  tears  flowed  fast ;    and  it  was  some  time  before  he 
could  recover  himself.     At  length  he  became  composed 
and  preached  with  power  and  acceptance,  and  for  twenty 
years  he  was  one  of  the  most  popular  supplies  at  the 
chapel.     After  a  while,  he  sold  his  commission,  quitted 
the  service  of  the  King  for  that  of  Christ,  and  became  a 
burning  and  a  shining  light. 

Another  remarkable  first-fruit,  gathered  at  Oathall  by 
her  Ladyship's  ministers,  was  an  old  man  called  Abra- 
ham. He  had  been  for  fifty  years  a  soldier,  and,  after 
his  discharge,  settled  with  his  wife  near  Oathall.  He 
became  serious,  and  sought  after  the  truth  ;  but  not 
being  satisfied  with  what  he  heard  at  his  church,  he  went 
round  to  the  neighbouring  churches,  and  still  failed  to 
meet  with  what  he  desired.  He  thus  roamed  about  till 
her  Ladyship's  chapel  was  opened  at  the  Hall;  and  though 
he  was  greatly  prejudiced  against  the  Methodists,  he  re- 
solved to  go  once  and  hear.  He  was  then  one  hundred 
years  old ;  but  he  was  still  hearty,  and  his  faculties  were 
nearly  unimpaired.  Mr.  Yenn  was  at  that  time  with  the 
Countess,   and  preached  at  the  chapel  on  the  morning 

when  old  Abraham   attended.     Tlie  truth  came  to  his 

17* 


198  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

mind  with  a  power  and  conviction  the  aged  man  had 
never  before  experienced.  He  listened  with  the  deepest 
attention  and  delight,  and  could  scarcely  restrain  his.  joy ; 
and  as  soon  as  the  service  was  ended,  he  laid  his  hand  on 
the  shoulder  of  a  neighbour,  who  was  at  his  side,  and 
said,  '^Ah,  neighbour,  this  is  the  very  truth  of  God's 
word,  which  I  have  been  seeking  for,  and  never  heard  it 
so  plain  before.  Here  will  I  abide."  From  that  time  he 
was  most  regular  in  his  attendance  on  the  ministry  of 
the  different  clergymen  who  preached  there,  and  daily 
grew  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ.  His  age,  and  snow-white  head 
made  him  a  conspicuous  personage,  and  his  conversation 
rendered  him  very  precious  to  all  the  serious  persons 
around. 

Lady  Huntingdon  took  a  deep  interest  in  this  aged 
disciple,  and  frequently  visited  his  cottage.  One  day 
when  she  was  talking  with  him,  he  gave  her  an  account 
of  some  of  his  little  trials.  ^'Oh,  my  Lady,"  he  said, 
"  'tis  my  grief  that  my  old  partner  is  a  little  too  apt  to 
run  ahead  sometimes;  but  I  will  tell  ye  what  happened 
the  other  day.  When  that  remarkable  darkness  and 
tempest  came  over  us  here,  she  was  terribly  frightened, 
and  thought  it  was  the  day  of  judgment,  and  in  she  ran 
with  an  old  gossip  of  hers,  who  was  of  her  mind  and 
against  me,  and  down  they  fell  upon  their  knees  upon  the 
floor,  and  said,  'Abraham,  come  and  pray  for  us.'  So 
said  I,  'What  is  the  matter,  dame?'  '0'  she  said,  'it  is 
the  day  of  judgment!  it  is  the  day  of  judgment !  Ar'n't 
you  afraid  ? '  '  Afraid !  no '  said  I ;  '  what  should  I  be 
afraid  of?  If  it  is  the  day  of  judgment,  then  I  shall  see 
Christ  Jesus,  my  Lord,  and  that  will  be  a  joyful  sight.' 
So,  my  Lady,  I  began  to  sing  a  hj^mn.  By  and  bye  the 
storm  was  oyer,  and  then  they  both  forgot  the  fright  it 
had  put  them  in."  Old  Abraham  died  calmly  and  tri- 
umphant, in  the  one  hundred  and  sixth  year  of  his  age, 


DEATH     OF     OLD     ABRAHAM.  199 

and  was  gathered  by  his  Saviour  as  a  shock  of  corn  fully 
ripe. 

The  glorious  results,  which  these  efforts  produced, 
greatly  stimulated  Lady  Huntingdon  in  her  work  of  faith 
and  labour  of  love.  Every  moment  of  her  time  was  devo- 
ted to  Christ.  The  winter  was  spent  in  corresponding  with 
her  numerous  friends,  arranging  circuits  for  itinerating 
in  the  summer,  and  gathering  the  nobility  in  London, 
Bath  or  Clifton  to  hear  the  gospel  in  her  drawing-rooms. 
Charles  Wesley  generally  oflQ.ciated  as  her  chaplain  when 
she  was  at  Bath  or  Clifton,  and  preached  at  her  residence. 
She  was  constantly  increasing  the  number  of  her  minis- 
terial friends,  and  found  employment  for  them  all  in  the 
vineyard  of  her  Master.  She  did  not,  however,  neglect 
her  own  soul  in  her  concern  for  the  souls  of  others.  Her 
piety  was  always  nourished  by  an  earnest,  constant  com- 
munion with  Christ ;  her  love  grew  warmer  with  her 
increasing  experience  of  the  love  of  God ;  her  faith  be- 
came stronger  as  her  views  of  truth  expanded  and 
ripened;  and  her  zeal  was  stimulated  to  fresh  acts  of 
benevolence  by  the  success  which  had  attended  her  efforts, 
and  the  insight  she  had  gained  of  the  ignorance  and  sin- 
fulness of  the  perishing  world. 

In  the  summer  of  1762  Lady  Huntingdon  paid  another 
visit  to  Yorkshire,  where  she  became  interested  in  the 
labours  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Conyers,  afterwards  brother-in- 
law  to  Mr.  Thornton,  of  Clapham,  at  Helmsley  in  the 
North  Riding.  He  had  been  for  some  years  a  most  ami- 
able clergyman,  and  had  entered  on  the  discharge  of  his 
sacred  duties  with  great  zeal  and  energy.  He  regularly 
visited  his  parish,  conversed  with  his  parishioners,  cate- 
chised the  children,  gathered  the  young  men  around  him, 
and  exhorted  all  to  lead  moral  and  peaceful  lives.  His 
views  of  religion,  however,  were  very  different  from  what 
the  gospel  unfolds  to  us ;  he  was  easy,  good-natured,  and 
social ;  but  a  stranger  to  a  clear  comprehension  of  that 


200  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

salvation,  wliicli  alone  can  rescue  a  guilty  world.  One 
day  lie  was  struck  with  tlie  apostle's  expression  "  The 
unsearchahle  riches  of  Christ]^''  and  remarked  that  lie  bad 
never  found  anything  unsearchable  in  him,  that  every- 
thing seemed  very  simple,  and  that  he  discerned  no  mys- 
tery in  the  gospel.  The  contrast  between  his  state,  and 
the  apostle's  sentiment,  forcibly  impressed  his  mind ;  and 
after  many  painful  exercises,  he  was  led  to  see  the  nature 
of  Christ's  mediatorial  work.  The  discovery  filled  him 
with  intense  joy.  He  says,  '^I  went  upstairs  and  down 
again,  backwards  and  forwards  in  my  room,  clapping  my 
hands  for  joy,  and  crying  out,  'I  have  found  him  !  I  have 
found  him !  I  have  found  him  whom  my  soul  loveth ; ' 
and  for  a  little  time,  as  the  Apostle  said,  whether  in  the 
body,  or  out  of  it,  I  could  hardly  tell.'  With  great  can- 
dour, he  informed  his  hearers  of  the  important  change 
which  had  taken  place  in  his  mind  and  heart,  and  redou- 
bled his  efforts  to  promote  the  welfare  of  his  charge.  He 
preached  with  greater  fluency  and  power  than  previously, 
and  prominently  set  forth  those  doctrines  which  had 
lately  been  brought  to  his  attention.  He  soon  experienced 
the  opposition,  which  all  godly  ministers  were  then 
exposed  to.  His  former  friends  treated  him  with  cold- 
ness and  neglect,  and  many  openly  heaped  upon  him  con- 
tumely and  scorn.  He,  however,  meekly  bore  their 
reproaches ;  and  God  gave  him  great  success  in  his 
labours.  His  converts  rapidly  increased,  whom  he  divi- 
ded into  distinct  classes,  men  and  woman,  the  married  and 
the  unmarried  by  themselves ;  and  each  day  he  preached 
in  some  part  of  his  parish,  and  conversed  with  the 
people. 

He  was  once  called  upon  to  preach  a  sermon  before  the 
clergy  at  a  visitation  of  the  Archbishop  of  York.  His 
evangelical  principles  were  well  known ;  and  the  neigh- 
bouring clergy  declared  that  if  he  dared  to  proclaim  his 
Tvlethodism  in  the  presence  of  his  Grace,  his  gown  would 


ARCHBISHOP     OF     YORK.  201 

soon  be  taken  from  liim.  He,  undaunted^  preaclied  with 
his  usual  fervour,  and  gave  free  expression  to  the  grand 
truths  of  the  gospel ;  which  excited  many  frowns  and 
fears  in  his  hearers.  After  the  service,  he  happened  to 
be  standing  in  the  street  conversing  with  some  of  his 
parishioners,  when  the  Archbishop  came  up  to  him,  and 
said,  ^'Well,  Conyers,  you  have  given  us  a  fine  sermon!" 
''I  am  glad"  said  the  Doctor,  "it  meets  with  the  appro- 
bation of  your  Grace."  "  Approbation  1  approbation  !  " 
replied  the  Archbishop,  "  if  you  go  on  preaching  such 
stuff,  you  will  drive  all  your  parish  mad !  Were  you  to 
inculcate  the  morality  of  Socrates,  it  would  do  more 
good  than  canting  about  the  new  birth."  His  Grace 
quickly  turned  round,  and  departed,  without  waiting  for 
any  reply.  The  Countess  wrote  to  Dr.  Conyers  to  meet 
her  at  Knaresborough ;  but  he  was  unable  to  do  so,  and 
sent  her  Ladyship  a  beautiful  letter  excusing  and  regret- 
ting her  absence. 

Lady  Huntingdon  attended  the  nineteenth  Conference 
of  Methodists,  held  at  Leeds,  August  9th,  1762,  when 
Messrs.  Eomaine,  Madan,  Yenn,  Whitefield,  and  the 
Wesleys  were  present.  Whitefield  proceeded  to  Scot- 
land, and  Lady  Huntingdon  to  Kndresborough,  where 
she  remained  some  time,  and  held  frequent  meetings  of 
all  the  evangelical  clergymen  in  Yorkshire  with  the 
view  of  stimulating  them  to  more  active  exertions  in  dif- 
fusing the  light  of  salvation  into  the  benighted  districts 
of  the  north.  She  afterwards  went  to  Harrowgate,  where 
Eomaine  preached  several  times,  and  thence  to  Kippax 
and  Aberford,  where  she  remained  for  several  weeks 
actively  engaged  in  promoting  the»spread  of  the  gospel. 

Lady  Huntingdon  went  from  Yorkshire  to  Brighton 
to  see  after  her  infant  church  in  that  town.  She  was  ex- 
tremely anxious  for  its  prosperity,  and  endeavoured  to 
obtain  the  services  of  eminent  clergymen  of  the  Church 
of    England   to   sustain    the   interest    which   had   been 


202  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDOX. 

awakened.  She  personally  arranged  all  the  supj^lies,  and 
with  great  wisdom  tried  to  select  those  preachers  whose 
ministrations  would  form  a  pleasing  variety.  Mr. 
Eomaine  repaired  from  Harrowgate  to  Brighton,  and 
remained  there  till  Michaelmas,  where  his  efforts  were 
very  successful  in  counteracting  the  influence  of  some, 
who  were  very  clamorous  for  the  doctrine  of  perfection, 
which  had  created  very  serious  divisions  among  Wesley's 
societies  in  London ;  and  who  threatened  to  disturb  the 
peace  and  prosperity  of  her  Ladyship's  congregation  at 
Brighton.  On  his  return  to  London,  Mr.  Madan  went 
down  to  supply  the  chapel;  and  Eomaine  promised  to 
undertake  the  duty  at  the  Lock  Hospital,  and  set  Dr. 
Haweis  at  liberty  to  preach  for  her  Ladyship.  The 
preaching  of  Mr.  Madan  was  attractive  and  useful;  he 
drew  large  crowds  to  the  chapel,  and  succeeded  in  heal- 
ing the  wounds  which  the  cry  of  perfection  had  made  in 
the  hearts  of  the  people.  He  spent  ten  weeks  at  Brigh- 
ton, and  left  amid  the  deep  regrets  of  the  congregation. 

Lady  Huntingdon  had  written  to  Mr.  Fletcher,  and 
invited  him  to  pay  her  a  visit  in  the  summer;  but  he  was 
so  peculiarly  situated  at  Madeley  that  he  was  obliged  to 
decline  the  invitation.  He  stood  alone  in  his  neiofhbour- 
hood;  no  clergyman  would  condescend  to  hold  any 
intercourse  with  him,  because  of  his  principles ;  and  he 
was  so  closely  tied  to  his  parish  tliat,  since  his  induction, 
he  had  not  preached  out  of  his  church.  He,  however, 
was  enabled  to  leave  for  a  short  time,  and  supplied  the 
place  of  Mr.  Madan  at  Brighton  for  some  weeks,  till 
Howell  Davis  could  relieve  him.  The  Countess,  however, 
could  not  now  prevail  .upon  John  Berridge  to  leave  his 
stated  labours,  and  supply  her  chapel.  She  wrote  to  him 
an  urgent  request  for  his  services ;  and  he  sent  her  the 
following  reply,  which  is  very  characteristic  of  the  man. 
It  is  dated  Everton,  November  IGth,  17G2. 

''  I  cannot   see  my  way  to   Brighthelmstone ;  and  1 


203 

ought  to  see  it  for  myself,  not  anotlier  for  nie.  Was  any 
good  done  when  I  was  there  ?  It  was  God's  doing ;  all 
the  glory  be  to  him.  This  shows  I  did  not  then  go  with- 
out my  Master,  but  it  is  no  proof  of  a  second  call.  Many 
single  calls  have  I  had  to  villages,  when  some  good  was 
de'ne,  but  no  further  call.  I  am  not  well  able  to  ride  so 
long  a  journey,  and  my  heart  is  utterly  set  against  wheel- 
carriages  in  these  roads.  Indeed,  I  see  not  my  call ;  I 
cannot  think  of  the  journey  ;  and,  therefore,  pray  your 
Ladyship  to  think  no  more  of  it.  I  write  thus  plainly, 
not  out  of  forwardness,  I  trust,  but  to  save  your  Ladyship 
the  trouble  of  sending  a  second  request,  and  myself  the 
pain  of  returning  a  second  denial  You  threaten  me. 
Madam,  like  a  Pope,  not  like  a  mother  in  Israel,  when  you 
declare  roundly  that  God  will  scourge  me,  if  I  do  not 
come ;  but  I  know  your  Ladyship's  good  meaning,  and 
this  menace  was  not  despised.  It  made  me  slow  in  resol- 
ving, and  of  course  slow  in  writing ;  it  made  me  also 
attend  to  the  state  of  my  own  mind  during  its  deliberation, 
Avhich  was  as  follows  : — Whilst  I  was  looking  towards  the 
sea,  partly  drawn  thither  with  the  hope  of  doing  good, 
and  partly  driven  by  your  Vatican  Bull,  1  found  nothing 
but  thorns  in  my  way ;  and  now,  while  I  am  sending  a 
peremptory  denial,  I  feel  no  check  or  reproof  within, 
which  I  generally  do  when  I  am  not  willing  to  go  about 
my  Master's  business." 

The  Countess  was  this  year  deprived  of  two  valuable 
assistants  by  death.  The  Kev.  Grifiith  Jones,  rector  of 
Llanddowror,  had  been  one  of  her  earliest  ministers,  and 
had  excited  a  warm  interest  in  her  heart  towards  the 
W^elsh  people.  His  death  was  peaceful  and  triumphant. 
The  Rev.  Mr  Jones  of  St.  Saviour's  Church,  London,  had 
been  introduced  to  her  Ladyship,  w^hen  he  was  under  deep 
religious  concern ;  and  her  conversation  and  friendship 
were  useful  in  consoling  him  in  his  distress,  and  strength- 
ened his  faith  in  Christ.     He  was  a  gifted  preacher,  a  fine 


204        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

scholar;  and  possessed  a  remarkably  sweet  and  placid  dis- 
position. He  liad  often  preached  at  her  Ladyship's 
residence  in  London  ;  and  Lady  Huntingdon  intended  to 
have  secured  his  services  at  Brighton  and  Oathall,  if  death 
had  not  snatched  him  from  this  world,  in  the  thirty -third 
year  of  his  age.  He  had  been  long  the  subject  of  afflic- 
tion, and  his  life  often  despaired  of ;  but  his  trials  were 
sent  to  prepare  him  for  that  bright  and  pure  land,  where 
sorrows  and  death  are  unknown.  The  mind  of  the  Coun- 
tess was  deeply  affected  by  the  loss  she  had  sustained,  as 
she  had  fondly  hoped  to  employ  these  two  clergymen  in 
her  chapels ;  but  her  faith  rose  to  God ;  and  confiding  in 
his  care  and  wisdom,  she  pursued  her  career  with  redou- 
bled energy,  and  felt  assured  that  he  would  raise  up 
men  to  preach  the  gospel,  if  she  humbly  trusted  to  his 
guidance,  and  aimed  at  the  promotion  of  his  glory. 


BRIGHTON.  205 


CHAPTER  XII.    A.D.  1763—1764. 

LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  BRIGHTON. — ROMAINE ;  HIS  EARLY 
BREAKFASTS. — DR.  CONYERS. — THE  GREEK  BISHOP. — 
DEATH  OF  GRIMSHAW. — LADY  SELINA  HASTINGS  ;  HER 
DEATH. — SORROW  OF  THE  COUNTESS. — SYMPATHY  OF 
FRIENDS. — LETTER  OF  BERRIDGE. — TUNBRIDGE  WELLS; 
ITS  CONDITION ;  HER  MINISTERS  PREACH  THERE. — MRS. 
CARTERET. — MRS.  CAVENDISH. — REY.  WALTER  SHIRLEY. 
— PERSECUTION  OF  ROMAINE. — LAW-SUITS. — THE  TRI- 
UMPH  OF   THE    GOSPEL. — JOY   OF   THE    COUNTESS. 

Lady  Huntingdon  continued  her  residence  at  Brighton 
during  the  greater  part  of  1763,  and  watched  over  the 
interests  of  her  congregation  with  the  greatest  assiduity. 
Her  house  was  the  abode  of  prayer  and  praise  ;  her  social 
circle  was  blessed  with  the  constant  presence  of  some 
devoted  minister  of  Christ :  and  the  little  company 
enjoyed  that  divine  happiness  which  Jesus  communicates 
to  those  who  love  and  serve  him  sincerely.  The  attend- 
ance at  the  chapel  was  most  encouraging,  and  many 
signs  of  good  were  appearing  among  the  people.  The 
labours  of  her  zealous  clergymen  had  a  very  beneficial 
influence  on  the  prosperity  of  the  community  ;  the  threat- 
ening symptoms  passed  away,  and  the  utmost  love  and 
unanimity  prevailed.  The  zeal  of  the  Countess  inspired 
all  around  her  with  enthusiastic  energy ;  her  faith 
strengthened  the  weak,  her  love  warmed  the  cold,  her 
activity  put  the  slothful  to  the  blush ;  and  her  self-deny- 
ing generosity  caused  even  avarice  to  loosen  its  grasp, 
and  testify  to  the  power  of  her  example.  The  number 
of  her  faithful  labourers,  however,  was  so  limited,  and 

IS 


206  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

their  engagements  were  so  various,  that  she  experienced 
some  difficulty  in  securing  a  regular  supply  of  clergy- 
men ;  and  this  occasioned  her  to  enter  into  a  voluminous 
correspondence  with  pious  ministers,  in  different  parts  of 
the  country,  which  alone  was  sufficient  to  occupy  the 
attention  of  a  person  of  ordinary  ability.  At  this  time, 
too,  there  was  a  considerable  excitement  in  London 
among  those  who  had  hitherto  co-operated  with  her. 

Dr.  Haweis  was  associated  with  Mr.  Mad  an  in  the 
chaplaincy  of  the  Lock  Hospital ;  and  when  the  Broad- 
way chapel,  "Westminster,  became  vacant,  by  the  death 
of  Mr.  Briant,  he  proposed  to  rent  it  of  the  widow,  and 
applied  to  the  Dean  of  Westminster  for  a  license.  This 
was  refused  him;  and  Romaine,  who  possessed  a  license 
to  preach  in  the  diocese  of  London,  opened  the  chapel, 
and  speedily  gathered  a  large  congregation.  Before, 
however,  a  year  had  elapsed,  he  was  compelled  to  vacate 
the  pulpit,  through  fear  of  incurring  the  penalties  of  the 
Spiritual  Court.  Lord  Dartmouth,  his  steclfast  friend, 
offered  him  a  living  in  the  country;  and  Whitefield, 
who  was  still  in  very  delicate  health,  and  preparing  for 
a  voyage  to  America,  invited  him  to  settle  at  a  great 
church  in  Philadelphia,  and  on  his  refusal,  pressed  the 
invitation  with  Dr.  Haweis.  These  two  devoted  men 
however,  resolved  to  stay  in  their  own  land,  and  preach 
the  gospel  wherever  they  could  obtain  a  church.  Eo- 
maine  greatly  desired  to  assist  Lady  Huntingdon  at 
Brighton,  and  intended  to  have  succeeded  Howell  Da  vies ; 
but  as  Mr.  Madan  was  denied  access  to  his  pulpit,  and 
Dr.  Haweis  was  without  a  license,  he  was  unable  to  leave 
London.  He  was  doing  a  great  work  in  the  metropolis. 
Ever  since  his  marriage  in  1755,  he  had  resided  at  a 
pleasant  retreat,  in  Walnut-tree  Walk,  Lambeth,  where 
he  was  in  the  habit  of  inviting  young  clergymen  to  his 
early  breakfasts;  many  of  whom  have  spoken  with  deep 
gratitude  of  the  instruction  and  encouragement  they  have 


DR.     CONYERS.  207 

received  from  Hm.  He  was,  however,  so  convinced  of 
the  importance  of  the  work  Lady  Huntingdon  was 
engaged  in,  that  he  wrote  to  her  from  Lambeth,  February 
6th,  1763  ;  and  after  explaining  the  cause  of  his  inability 
to  come  and  assist  her  then,  says,  ''It  would  be  a  great 
blessing  if  the  Head  of  the  Church  should  have  more 
places  open  to  sound  his  fame  and  praise  in  your  neigh- 
bourhood ;  and  if  he  has  such  a  gracious  design,  there 
shall  not  be  wanting  heralds  to  proclaim  his  style  and 
titles.  Get  churches,  and  you  won't  want  ministers. 
For  my  part,  I  am  quite  fixed,  and  every  day  more  so, 
in  my  present  work.  I  am  called  to  it,  and  commanded 
therein  to  abide  with  God." 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  now  carrying  on  a  correspon- 
dence with  Dr.  Conyers ;  and  aware  of  the  feeble  state  of 
his  health,  she  invited  him  to  Brighton  that  he  might 
have  the  benefit  of  the  sea-air  and  enlarge  the  sphere  of 
his  usefulness.  The  Doctor  was  an  exceedingly  nervous 
man.  He  seldom  preached  out  of  his  own  pulpit ;  even 
the  sight  of  a  stranger  often  threw  him  into  a  state  of 
excitement ;  and  it  was  very  rarely  his  friends  could  in- 
duce him  to  conduct  family  worship  at  their  homes.  He 
frequently  said  to  Mr.  Thornton,  ''If  ever  you  expect 
any  blessing  under  my  ministry,  I  beg  you  will  not 
bring  so  many  black  coats  with  you."  He  immediately 
declined  her  Ladyship's  invitation ;  and  assigned  as  a 
reason,  that  the  duties  of  his  parish,  which  was  very  ex- 
tensive, demanded  all  his  time  and  strength,  and  that  he 
was  afraid  to  venture  where  so  many  eloquent  ministers 
of  Christ  had  so  successfully  proclaimed  his  salvation. 

Lady  Huntingdon's  visit  to  the  metropolis  was  very 
short ;  for  she  was  summoned  to  Brighton  by  the  serious 
illness  of  one  of  her  daughters.  While  she  was  in  Lon- 
don, a  person  named  Erasmus,  a  Greek  Bishop,  who 
stated  that  his  see  was  Arcadia  in  Crete,  attempted  to  in- 
gratiate  himself  into  the   favor  of  the   Countess.     The 


208         MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

attempt,  however  was  unsuccessful ;  as  she  suspected  he 
was  an  impostor.  "  There  is  something  singular  in  this 
man"  she  says,  "and  it  strikes  me  that  he  is  not  alto- 
gether what  he  appears  or  pretends  to  be.  Mr.  Komaine, 
Mr.  Madan,  and  others  have  strong  doubts  of  the  reality 
of  his  office."  Mr.  Wesley,  however,  held  a  different 
opinion ;  and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  his  brother 
Charles,  and  some  of  his  best  friends,  he  obtained  for 
some  of  his  lay-preachers  ordination  from  the  bishop ; 
though  the  opposition  was  so  strong  against  them,  that 
they  never  exercised  their  new  functions.  Wesley  was 
accused  of  a  breach  of  the  oath  of  supremacy  in  thus 
availing  himself  of  the  powers  of  a  foreign  prelate,  and 
was  also  charged  with  having  pressed  the  bishop  to  con- 
secrate him  a  bishop,  that  he  might  have  power  to  ordain 
whom  he  pleased.  The  former  charge  was  denied  by 
Mr.  T.  Olivers ;  the  latter  was  vindicated  on  the  ground 
that  Wesley  and  his  followers  manifestly  had  the  inward 
call,  and  desired  the  outward  call  also  ;  which,  being  re- 
fused them  by  English  Bishops,  justified  them  in  seeking 
it  wherever  they  pleased. 

While  in  London,  Lady  Huntingdon  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  lose  her  valuable  and  faithful  friend,  the  labo- 
rious and  apostolic  Grimshaw.  In  the  early  part  of  1763 
Ilaworth  was  visited  by  a  violent  putrid  fever,  which 
carried  off  a  great  number  of  the  inhabitants.  He  was  not 
the  man  to  shrink,  through  fear,  from  the  calls  of  duty ; 
though  he  had  a  strange  presentiment  that  some  one  of 
his  family  would  be  among  its  victims.  He  exhorted  his 
household  to  be  prepared  for  the  event ;  and  committing 
himself  to  the  care  of  his  Master,  he  went  among  the 
sick  and  the  dying,  that  he  might  point  the  soul  to 
Christ  before  it  took  its  flight  into  the  future  world.  He 
caught  the  infection ;  and  knowing  that  his  days  here 
were  numbered,  he  longed  for  and  welcomed  the  speedy 
approach  of  death.     Many  of  his  friends  came  to  visit 


DEATH     OF     MR.    G  R  I  M  S  H  A  W  .  209 

him,  and  to  cheer  him  in  his  passage  throngh  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death.  Mr.  Ingham  was  by  his  bed- 
side for  a  long  time,  and  was  then  relieved  by  Mr.  Yenn. 
His  faith  was  strong,  and  his  hope  buoyant  when  Mr. 
Ingham  came  to  him,  Grimshaw  said,  "  My  last  enemy 
is  come !  the  signs  of  death  are  upon  me ;  but  I  am  not 
afraid.  No!  No!  Blessed  be  God,  my  hope  is  sure,  and 
I  am  in  his  hands."  His  friends  prayed  that  he  might  be 
restored,  and  his  useful  life  long  spared ;  and  the  dying 
man  only  wished  for  life,  because,  he  said,  ''  if  the  Lord 
should  raise  me  up,  I  think  I  could  do  no  more  for  his 
glory  than  I  have  hitherto  done.  Alas !  what  have  my 
wretched  services  been  ?  "  Yet  he  was  perfectly  resigned 
to  the  will  of  God,  He  said,  ^'  I  harbour  no  desire  of 
life ;  my  time  is  come ;  I  am  entirely  resigned  to  God ; 
Thy  will  be  done."  Mr.  Ingham  mentioned  that  he  had 
received  a  letter  from  Lady  Huntingdon,  in  which  she 
expressed  her  sympathy  and  consolation ;  and  at  the 
mention  of  her  name,  Mr.  Grimshaw  lifted  up  his  hands 
to  heaven,  and  said,  "  Tell  her  Ladyship,  that  dear  elect 
woman,  that  I  thank  her  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart 
for  all  her  kindnesses  to  me  during  the  years  that  I  have 
known  her.  With  my  dying  breath,  I  implore  every 
blessing,  temporal  and  spiritual,  to  rest  upon  her. 
May  the  God  of  Abraham,  of  Isaac,  and  of  Jacob,  bless 
her, — bless  her  in  body,  soul,  and  spirit.  I  can  never 
repay  the  spiritual  good  I  have  reaped  at  her  hands.  O 
that  she  may  be  eminently  useful  in  her  day  and  genera- 
tion." He  lingered  a  short  time ;  and  exclaiming,  ''Here 
goes  an  unprofitable  servant;"  he  died,  April  7th,  1763, 
in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age. 

On  the  return  of  the  Countess  to  Brighton,  she  imme- 
diately proceeded  to  Oathall,  where  the  Lord  was  pleased 
to  visit  her  with  a  very  severe  and  afiecting  calamity,  by 
removing  from  her  an  affectionate  daughter.  Lady 
Selina  Hastings  was  the  youngest  of  seven  children,  and 

18* 


210  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     H  U  N  T  I2n^  G  D  O  N  . 

was  born  December  3rd,  1737.  Her  education  "had  been 
carefully  superintended  by  her  mother,  who  early  trained 
her  in  the  ways  of  ];eligion,  as  well  as  fostered  those 
graces  and  accomplishments  which  were  indispensable  to 
her  high  station.  Her  disposition  was  naturally  amiable ; 
and  she  studied  to  repay  the  tenderness  of  her  mother 
with  an  affection  that  beautifully  ripened  with  her  in- 
creasing age.  She  was  her  comfort  in  sorrow,  her  joy  in 
health,  and  her  helper  in  many  of  her  benevolent  enter- 
prises. She  cultivated  the  religion  of  the  heart ;  and 
neither  the  attractions  of  youth,  and  fortune,  nor  the 
dazzling  splendour  of  high  life,  could  divert  her  from  an 
habitual  intercourse  with  the  Most  High.  She  was  most 
constant  in  her  attention  and  love  to  her  mother,  and 
was  rarely  absent  from  her.  She  had  made  her  appear- 
ance at  Court,  and  was  one  of  the  six  Earls'  daughters 
who  assisted  the  Princess  Augusta  in  supporting  the 
train  of  Queen  Charlotte  at  her  coronation,  in  September 
1761 :  and  was  to  have  been  married,  with  the  consent 
of  her  mother  and  the  Earl,  to  her  relative  Colonel 
George  Hastings.  Lady  Selina  manifested  the  reality  of 
her  religion  by  her  conduct  in  life.  It  gave  a  spiritual 
and  heavenly  tone  to  her  mind,  and  a  sweetness  to  her 
disposition ;  and  closed  a  useful  career  with  a  bright  and 
happy  prospect.  During  her  trying  illness,  she  was 
greatly  supported  by  the  rich  promises  of  the  gospel ; 
her  mind  was  peaceful  and  happy ;  her  faith  was  firmly 
fixed  on  her  Saviour ;  a  holy  smile  played  on  her  fea- 
tures ;  and  if  ever  a  cloud  cast  its  shadow  over  them,  and 
disturbed  the  tranquility  of  her  soul,  it  was  the  thought 
of  leaving  her  widowed  mother  behind  her  in  the  troub- 
lous scenes  of  life,  without  her  presence  to  soften  her 
trials,  and  alleviate  her  cares.  Lady  Huntingdon  has 
left  the  following  touching  account  of  the  illness  and 
death  of  her  beloved   daughter  : 

"  It  pleased  our  dear  God  and  only  Saviour  to  take 


DEATH    OF    LADY    SELINA    HASTINGS.      211 

from  me  May  12tli^  1763,  at  three-quarters  after  four  in 
tlie  morning,  my  dearest,  my  altogether  lovely  child  and 
daughter.  Lady  Selina  Hastings,  the  desire  of  my  eyes, 
and  continual  pleasure  of  my  heart.     On  the  26th  of 
April,  she  was  taken  ill  of  a  fever,  which  lasted  obsti- 
nate till  the  seventeenth  day  from  the  time  it  began.     On 
her  going  to  bed,  she  said  she  should  never  rise  from  it 
more ;  and  from  all  she  said  to  me  through  her  illness,  it 
was  evident  that   she  continued  satisfied  she  could  not 
live.     She  said  she  did  not  begin   to  think  about  death 
then,  and  that  she  had  no  desire  to  live ;  '  therefore,  my 
dear  mother,  why  not  now  ?     The  Lord  can  make  me 
ready  for  himself  in  a  moment ;  and  if  I  live  longer,  I 
may  not  be  better  prepared;  I  am  a  poor  creature;  I 
can  do  nothing  myself;  I  only  hope  you  will  be  sup- 
ported.'    She  often  desired  me  to  pray  by  her,  and  with 
great  earnestness  accompanied  me ;  and  at  one  time  she 
called  me  and  said,   'My  dearest  mother,  come  and  lie  down 
hy  me,  and  let  my  heart  he  laid  dose  to  yours,  and  then  I 
shall  get  rest.''     She  often  called  on  the  Lord  Jesus  to  have 
mercy  on  her,  and  complained  of  her  impatience ;  though 
none  ever  heard  a  complaint  pass  her  lips,  notwithstand- 
ing her  sufferings  were  so  great.     I  said  she  was  blessed 
with  patience;  she  replied,  'Oh,  no!'  with  some  tears. 
During  the  last  four  days,  these  sentences  at  times  fell 
from  her: — 'Jesus,  teach  me!     Jesus,  wash  me,   cleanse 
me,  and  purify  me ! '     Lying  quiet,  she  said  two  angels 
were  beckoning  her,  and  she  must  go,  but  could  not  get 
up  the  ladder.     Another  time  she  said,  'I  am  as  happy 
as  my  heart   can   desire   to   be.'     The   day  before   her 
death,  I  came  to  her,  and  asked  her  if  she  knew  me? 
'My  dearest  mother!'     I  then  asked  if   her  heart  was 
happy?  She  replied,  'I  now  well  understand  you;'  and 
raising  her  head  from  the  pillow,  added,    '  I  am  hai^i^y, 
very,  very  happy ! '  and  then  put  out  her  lips  to  kiss  me. 
She  gave  directions  to  her  servant,  Catharine  Spooner, 


212         M  E  M  O  I  K     OF     LADY     H  U  N  T  I  N  G  ]J  O  X  . 

about  tliG  disposal  of  some  rings,  observing  that  she 
'mentioned  it  to  her  lest  it  should  shock  her  dear  mother 
to  tell  her.'  She  often  said,  '  to  be  resigned  to  God's  will 
was  all/  and  that  sbe  had  'no  hope  of  salvation  but  in 
the  mercy  of  Jesus  Christ  alone.'  Blessed  are  the  dead 
that  die  in  the  Lord." 

To  resign  into  the  arms  of  death  such  an  affectionate 
and  dutiful  daughter,  was  a  severe  trial  to  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon ;  but  the  conviction  that  it  was  ordered  by  that 
Being,  who  is  too  wise  to  err,  and  too  good  to  be  unkind, 
silenced  every  rising  murmur.  The  choicest  flowers, 
which  breathe  out  the  richest  perfumes,  often  droop  and 
perish  most  quickly ;  and  the  loveliest  members  of  the 
family  circle  are  frequently  first  gathered  to  their  final 
home.  The  afflicted  mother  best  knew  the  worth  of  her. 
child,  and,  therefore,  most  keenly  felt  the  loss  she  had 
sustained.  Her  faith,  however,  realized  the  preciousness 
of  the  promise,  ''As  thy  day,  thy  strength  shall  be." 
She  knew  that  God  was  doing  all  things  well ;  she  re- 
pressed every  murmuring  thought,  yielded  implicit  sub- 
mission to  the  divine  will,  humbled  herself  under  the 
bereaving  stroke;  and  came  forth  from  the  trial  with  a 
chastened  spirit,  and  a  more  unreserved  consecration  of 
herself  to  the  service  of  her  Saviour.  The  Lord  had 
removed  the  last  member  of  her  family  living  with  her, 
tbat  she  might  devote  all  her  thoughts  and  energies  to  his 
own  cause. 

This  season  of  bereavement  caused  her  friends  to  rally 
around  her,  and  to  pour  in  their  consolatory  letters  from 
all  sides.  Whitefield  was  on  the  point  of  embarking  for 
America,  and  rejoiced  that  her  daughter  died  so  triumph- 
antly, and  that  her  Ladyship  was  so  divinely  supported. 
Lord  Dartmouth  conveyed  his  and  Lady  Dartmouth's 
sympathy  to  her  in  a  very  beautiful  letter  in  which  he 
says,  "  We  are  deeply  indebted  to  your  Ladyship,  more 
deeply  than  we  can  express.     Our  obligations  are  of  a 


SYMPATIIAY     OF     FRIENDS.  213 

nature  never  to  be  repaid  by  us ;  but  you  will  be  rewarded 
openly  before  an  assembled  world,  when  we  shall  swell 
that  innumerable  train  of  children,  which  the  Lord  hath 
given  to  you.  There,  Madam,  we  shall  hope  to  meet  you, 
and  join  your  beautiful  child."  Letters  were  also  received 
from  Messrs.  Venn,  Komaine,  Fletcher,  Berridge  and 
others,  consoling  the  Countess  under  her  affliction.  The 
letter  of  Berridge  is  so  characteristic  that  we  give  it 
entire. 

'^Everton,  June  23rd,  1763. 
"  My  Lady, — I  received  your  letter  from  Brighthelm- 
stone,  and  hope  you  will  soon  learn  to  bless  your  Ee- 
deemer  for  snatching  away  your  daughter  so  speedily. 
Methinks  I  see  great  mercy  in  the  suddenness  of  her 
removal,  and  when  you  have  done  yearning  for  her ;  you 
wiU  see  it  too.  O  !  what  is  she  snatched  from  ?  why, 
truly,  from  the  plague  of  an  evil  heart,  a  wicked  world, 
and  a  crafty  devil ;  snatched  from  all  such  bitter  grief  as 
now  overwhelms  you  ;  snatched  from  everything  that 
might  wound  her  ear,  afflict  her  eye,  or  pain  her  heart. 
And  what  is  she  snatched  to  ?  To  a  land  of  everlasting 
peace, where  the  voice  of  the  turtle  is  ever  heard,  where 
every  inhabitant  can  say,  'I  am  no  more  sick,' — no  more 
whim  in  the  head,  no  more  plague  in  the  heart ;  but  all 
full  of  love  and  full  of  praise,  ever  seeing  with  enraptured 
eyes,  ever  blessing  with  adoring  hearts,  that  dear  Lamb 
who  has  washed  them  in  his  blood,  and  has  now  made 
them  kings  and  priests  unto  God  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 
O  Madam  !  what  would  you  have  ?  Is  it  not  better  to  sing 
in  heaven,  '  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,'  &c., 
than  crying  at  Oathall,  '  0  wretched  woman  that  I  am  ? ' 
Is  it  not  better  for  her  to  go  before,  than  to  stay  after  you, 
and  then  to  be  lamenting,  '  Ah,  my  mother  ! '  as  you  now 
lament  '  Ah,  my  daughter  ?  '  Is  it  not  better  to  have 
your  Selina  taken  to  heaven,  than  to  have  your  heart 
divided  between  Christ  and  Selina  ?  If  she  was  a  silver 


/ 

214  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDOiS^. 

idol  before,  miglit  sTie  not  have  proved  a  golden  one 
afterwards  ?  She  is  gone  to  pay  a  most  blessed  visit,  and 
will  see  you  again  by  and  by,  never  to  part  more.  Had 
she  crossed  the  sea  and  gone  to  Ireland,  you  could  have 
borne  it ;  but  now  she  is  gone  to  heaven,  'tis  almost  intol- 
erable. Wonderful  strange  love  this  !  Such  behaviour 
in  others  would  not  surprise  me,  but  I  could  almost  heat 
you  for  it ;  and  I  am  sure  Selina  would  beat  you  too,  if 
she  was  called  back  but  one  moment  from  heaven,  to 
gratify  your  fond  desires.  I  cannot  soothe  you,  and  I 
must  not  flatter  you.  I  am  glad  the  dear  creature  is  gone 
to  heaven  before  you.  Lament  if  you  please ;  but  glory, 
glory,  glory,  be  to  God,  says 

JOHN  BEREIDGE." 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  a  short  time  at  Brighton  after 
the  death  of  Lady  Selina ;  and  then  repaired  to  Oathall 
in  June,  to  make  arrangements  for  recommencing  the 
services,  which  had  been  suspended  since  the  illness  of 
her  daughter.  Mr.  Madan  was  now  supplying  her  chapel 
at  Brighton,  and  was  soon  afterwards  joined  by  Mr.  Venn, 
who  came  to  London  to  arrange  the  publication  of  his 
"  Complete  Duty  of  Man,''^  and  was  persuaded  by  the 
Countess  to  meet  her  at  Brighton.  Her  heart  was  over- 
flowing with  love  and  gratitude  to  Christ,  and  yearned 
for  the  salvation  of  her  fellow-creatures.  She  had  a 
deep  sense  of  her  obligations  for  the  many  blessings  she 
had  recently  enjoyed,  and  wished  to  testify  her  thankful- 
ness by  more  active  labours  in  her  Master's  service ;  she, 
therefore,  consulted  these  two  devoted  ministers  on  a 
plan  which  she  had  formed  to  bring  the  gospel  into 
other  benighted  localities.  She  beheld  with  satisfaction 
the  blessed  results  of  her  efforts  at  Brighton  and  Oathall ; 
and  she  longed  to  become  instrumental  in  awakening  an 
interest  for  religion  in  some  other  town.  Her  attention 
was  directed  to  Tunbridge  Wells. 


TUNBRIDGE     WELLS.  215 

This  rising  town  bad  gained  great  celebrity  by  its  mine- 
ral springS;  and  was  a  place  of  considerable  resort  for 
fashionable  and  noble  society,  as  well  as  for  the  sick  and 
invalid.  It  was  the  scene  of  much  gaiety  and  pleasure  ; 
and  witnessed  all  the  vices,  which  at  this  period  flourished 
so  luxuriantly  in  watering-towns.  Little  attention  was 
here  paid  even  to  the  forms  of  religion  ;  the  sabbath  was 
a  day  of  amusement  and  frolic,  when  every  one  did  what 
was  right  in  his  own  eyes ;  and  the  chapel,  which  had 
been  erected  after  the  Eestoration,  and  dedicated  to  King 
Charles  the  Martyr,  was  but  scantily  attended.  The 
spiritual  destitution  of  the  town,  and  the  numbers  of 
visitors  who  flocked  to  it,  attracted  the  attention  of  Lady 
Huntingdon ;  and  after  consulting  with  her  friends,  she 
resolved  to  visit  this  fashionable  place,  and  see  what 
means  could  be  taken  to  erect  the  gospel-standard  among 
the  people.  Accompanied  by  Messrs.  Yenn  and  Madan, 
she  entered  the  town,  and  made  inquiries  respecting  the 
spiritual  condition  of  the  neighbourhood.  She  was 
agreeably  surprised  to  find  that  it  was  far  more  favourable 
than  she  had  anticipated.  Sir  Thomas  1' Anson,  who 
resided  in  the  neighbourhood,  had  exerted  himself  to 
introduce  the  gospel,  with  some  success.  His  house  was 
thrown  open  for  preaching,  where  many  were  deeply 
impressed  with  the  truth,  and  were  anxious  to  enjoy  more 
publicly  the  ordinances  of  religion. 

The  name  of  Lady  Huntingdon  was  now  so  identified 
with  the  cause  of  evangelical  religion,  that  her  arrival, 
with  her  ministers,  was  hailed  by  the  godly  as  the  com- 
mencement of  a  new  era  in  the  spiritual  condition  of  the 
place.  The  clergy  became  alarmed.  The  chapel  belong- 
ing to  the  Established  Church  was  refused  to  Messrs. 
Madan  and  Venn  ;  but  the  large  Presbyterian  place  of 
worship,  where  occasionally  Wesley  and  others  had  pro- 
claimed the  message  of  mercy,  was  freely  placed  at  their 
disposal.     This  building,  however,  soon  became  too  small 


216  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

to  contain  tlie  crowds  which  thronged  the  doors ;  and  the 
Countess,  cheered  by  the  eagerness  of  the  people  to  listen 
to  the  gospel,  urged  these  zealous  clergymen  to  stand  in 
the  open-air,  and  imitate  the  example  of  Christ  by  addres- 
sing the  multitudes.  It  was  a  new  and  startling  occur- 
rence at  Tunbridge  Wells,  and  created  a  great  stir  among 
the  people.  All  classes  poured  out  of  their  abodes  to  see 
this  great  sight ;  and  a  large  and  diversified  congregation 
gathered  around  the  little  band  of  Christ's  servants.  Mr. 
Yenn  preached  from  the  invitation  of  our  Lord,  "  Come 
unto  me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  give  you  rest."  He  had  proceeded  but  for  a  short 
time,  before  a  man,  who  stood  near  him,  suddenly  cried 
out,  fell  down,  and  expired.  A  thrill  of  fear  ran  through 
the  congregation ;  and  after  a  pause,  Mr.  Yenn,  in  the 
most  solemn  and  impressive  manner,  availed  himself  of 
the  circumstance  to  remind  them  of  the  uncertainty  of 
lifC;  and  of  the  necessity  of  at  once  fleeing  to  Christ  for 
pardon  and  peace.  His  words  fell  upon  the  ears  of  the 
people  with  great  power  ;  the  tears  rolled  down  the  cheeks 
of  many ;  and  there  were  few  present  who  did  not  feel 
the  solemnity  of  the  occasion.  When  he  had  concluded, 
the  people  still  lingered  around  the  spot ;  and  Lady  Hun- 
tingdon urged  Mr.  Madan  to  address  them  before  they 
went  away.  The  Countess  was  greatly  cheered  by  the 
prospect  of  doing  good  in  the  town  ;  the  readiness  of  the 
people  to  hear  the  Gospel  was  to  her  an  indication  that 
God  had  directed  her  steps  thither :  and  she  resolved  as 
soon  as  possible  to  cultivate  this  vineyard  for  the  Lord. 
She  says,  '' The  fields  are  white  already  to  harvest.  May 
the  precious  name  of  Him,  who  died  to  save,  be  made 
very  dear  to  many  in  this  place ;  and  may  this  grain  of 
mustard-seed  become,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  a  flourish- 
ing tree,  extending  its  branches  fVir  and  wide." 

Lady  Huntingdon  could  not  stay  long  at  Tunbridge 
Wells  to  follow  up  the  good  which  had  been  effected. 


MRS.  CAKTERET  AND   MRS.   CAVENDISH.     217 

Mr.  Yenn  was  obliged  to  hasten  into  Yorkshire  ;  and  Mr. 
Madan  to  London,  and  Everton,  to  enable  John  Berridge 
to  set  out  for  Oathall,  where  he  preached  during  the 
month  of  August.  The  Countess  was  still  in  a  delicate 
state  of  health.  Her  anxiety  for  the  prosperity  of  her 
chapels,  and  her  sorrow  for  her  departed  child,  brought 
her  into  a  very  low  state.  She  was  then  attacked  with 
a  fever,  which  prostrated  her  strength,  though  only  for  a 
short  time.  Berridge  refers  to  this  in  one  of  his  letters, 
before  he  came  into  the  south ;  and  says,  "  Nothing  ex- 
pels undue  grief  of  mind  like  bodily  correction.  Nothing 
makes  the  child  leave  crying  like  the  rod  ;  at  least  I  find 
it  so  by  experience.  A  little  whipping  from  your  Father 
will  dry  up  your  tears  much  sooner  than  a  thousand 
pretty  lullabies  from  your  brethren." 

The  Countess  continued  at  Brighton  during  the  autumn 
and  winter  ;  where  she  eojoyed  the  company  of  two  dis- 
tinguished friends,  Mrs.  Carteret  and  Mrs.  Cavendish,  who 
were  visiting  her  at  her  residence.  These  ladies  were 
sisters,  and  were  allied  to  two  of  the  noblest  and  most 
ancient  families  in  England.  They  formed  a  part  of  the 
great  harvest  which  had  been  gathered  among  the  nobi- 
lity at  the  house  of  her  Ladyship  in  London,  where  they 
first  heard  and  received  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation. 
They  united  their  influence  and  wealth  to  that  of  Lady 
Huntingdon,  and  other  honourable  women  ;  made  many 
exertions  to  spread  the  truth,  wherever  they  went ;  and 
frequently  accompanied  the  Countess  on  her  visits  to  Bath 
and  Clifton.  Mrs.  Carteret  was  much  attached  to  Uv. 
Yenn ;  and  when  he  visited  her  on  her  death-bed,  she 
took  hold  of  his  hand,  and  prayed  most  earnestly  that 
Jesus  would  blot  out  all  her  sins,  clothe  her  in  his  perfect 
righteousness,  and  grant  her  a  happy  dismissal  to  glory. 
Her  sister  was  equally  attached  to  her  Ladyship's  minis- 
ters ;  and  departed  this  life,  full  of  hope,  soon  after  death 
had  snatched  away  her  beloved  companion.     They  were 

19 


218  MEM  OIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

''lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death 
they  were  not  divided." 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  the  year  1764  in  visiting  the 
various  places,  where  she  had  been  accustomed  to  meet 
her  friends  to  hear  the  gospel;  and  divided  her  time 
between  London,  Bath,  and  Brighton.  She  now  added 
to  the  number  of  her  chaplains,  the  Hon.  and  Eev. 
Walter  Shirley,  Eector  of  Loughrea,  in  Ireland.  He  was 
brother  to  the  -unfortunate  Earl  Ferrars,  and  cousin  to 
her  Ladyship  ;  and  was  introduced  by  her  to  most  of  the 
leading  characters  in  the  religious  world.  The  ministry 
and  conversations  of  Mr.  Venn  were  so  greatly  blessed 
to  him,  that  he  ever  after  styled  himself  "  his  son  in  the 
gospel."  His  connection  with  her  Ladyship  raised  a  vio- 
lent storm  of  persecution  against  him  in  his  own  country ; 
his  name  was  blackened  with  opprobious  epithets;  the 
clergy  were  shamed  by  his  zealous  and  energetic  labours, 
and  closed  their  churches  against  him  ;  and  wherever  he 
went  he  was  followed  by  their  bitterest  resentment  and 
opposition.  His  heart  was  too  deeply  impressed  with  the 
truth  to  allow  his  lips  to  be  sealed  by  clerical  intolerance ; 
and  the  persecution  he  met  with  only  stimulated  his 
efforts  to  spread  abroad  more  widely  the  simple  doctrines 
of  the  gospel.  He  became  a  warm  and  devoted  labourer 
in  the  various  chapels  which  Lady  Huntingdon  erected. 

Mr.  Romaine  was  during  this  year  most  bitterly  perse- 
cuted in  London.  The  only  church  preferment  he  held 
was  the  lectureship  at  St.  Dunstan's,  which  brought  him 
in  the  astonishing  salary  of  eighteen  pounds  a  year  1 
He  was  now  threatened  with  the  loss  even  of  this.  His 
preaching  highly  offended  the  rector,  who  now  took  pos- 
session of  the  pulpit,  while  the  Liturgy  was  being  read, 
to  prevent  Romaine  preaching  to  the  congregation.  He 
appealed  to  law;  and  Lord  Mansfield,  the  Lord  Chief 
Justice,  decided  that  Romaine  could  not  be  excluded  from 
the  pulpit.     The  opposition-party,  however,  did  every- 


LAW-SUITS.  219 

thing  to  annoy  tlie  preacher; — ^tlie  cTinrcli  doors  were 
kept  closed  till  the  commencement  of  divine  service ;  and 
when  they  were  opened,  the  thousands  who  were  crowd- 
ing the  street,  rushed  in,  like  a  foaming  torrent,  regardless 
of  the  sanctity  of  the  place,  or  their  own  comfort  and 
safety.  The  churchwardens  refused  either  to  light  the 
church,  or  permit  it  to  be  lighted ;  and  Eomaine  might 
often  have  been  seen  preaching  by  the  light  of  a  single 
candle,  which  he  held  in  his  hand,  and  which  gave  a 
ghastly  hue  to  the  vast  crowds  who  were  profoundly  lis- 
tening to  the  eloquent  minister.  At  length  the  influence 
of  the  Bishop  of  Peterborough  put  an  end  to  these  pro- 
ceedings, and  secured  tranquility  to  Mr.  Eomaine. 

During  this  year  there  occurred  an  election  for  the 
living  of  St.  Ann's,  Blackfriars;  the  right  of  presenta- 
tion to  which  is  vested  alternately  in  the  crown  and  in 
the  parishioners.  The  late  incumbent  was  the  nephew 
of  the  Lord  Chancellor  Henley,  an  intimate  friend  of  the 
Countess;  who  was  seized  with  a  putrid  fever,  while 
visiting  a  person  infected  with  that  frightful  disorder,  and 
died,  after  holding  the  living  six  years  and  a  half  As 
soon  as  Lady  Huntingdon  heard  of  the  vacancy,  she  im- 
mediately thought  of  Eomaine,  and  took  active  measures 
to  secure,  if  possible,  his  election.  She  spoke  to  the  Lord 
Chancellor  to  solicit  his  influence;  and  at  her  suggestion, 
John  Thornton  and  Mr.  Madan  went  among  the  parish- 
ioners to  secure  their  votes.  Eomaine  was  absent  in 
Yorkshire ;  and  his  enemies  industriously  circulated  the 
most  foolish  reports  respecting  him.  They  stated  that 
he  was  a  very  proud  and  overbearing  man ;  that  his 
preaching  would  never  suit  them;  and  that  he  never 
came  personally  to  ask  their  votes.  They  drew  a  contrast 
between  him  and  the  other  candidates,  who  came  to  them 
in  their  canonicals,  and  humbly  solicited  their  favour. 
The  candidates  were  to  preach  the  probation  sermon  the 
end  of  September,  1764 ;  and  the  friends  of  Eomaine  re- 


220         MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

quested  him  to  come  to  London  for  the  occasion.  It  was 
an  anxious  time  for  them.  To  avoid  giving  oflence,  and 
to  afford  the  parishioners  every  accommodation,  Lady 
Huntingdon  and  her  friends  kept  away ;  and  Eomaine 
preached  an  eloquent  sermon  on  the  words,  "  "We  preach 
not  ourselves  but  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  and  ourselves 
your  servants  for  Jesus'  sake."  It  was  exceedingly  well 
received,  and  afterwards  printed  at  the  request  of  the  in- 
habitants. 

The  election  proceeded  ;  and  a  great  trouble  ensued  be- 
tween the  two  parties.  A  scrutiny  was  demanded  ;  and 
a  second  election  gave  Eomaine  a  great  majority.  The 
opposition,  however,  was  so  determined,  that  new  diffi- 
culties were  raised,  and  the  matter  finally  thrown  into 
the  Court  of  Chancery.  For  more  than  •  a  year,  this 
vexatious  suit  was  prosecuted  with  unwearied  diligence. 
The  Countess  watched  its  progress  with  the  deepest  in- 
terest ;  and  Eomaine  preached  for  her  during  its  continu- 
ance, and  frequently  corresponded  with  her  on  the  sub- 
ject. His  mind  was  calmly  staid  on  God.  He  says, 
'' Blackfriars'  church  is  desirable,  but  we  cannot  tell 
whether  Jesus  wants  it,  or  not ;  if  he  does,  he  will  bring 
it  about ;  if  not,  his  will  be  done."  At  length,  after 
many  tedious  delays,  the  Lord  Chancellor  Henley  de- 
cided in  his  favour,  in  February,  1766;  and  Eomaine 
was  accordingly  inducted  into  the  living.  His  friends 
greatly  rejoiced  at  his  success ;  but  he  knew  too  well  the 
state  of  the  parish  to  indulge  in  many  glowing  visions. 
He  says,  "  I  can  see  nothing  before  me,  so  long  as  the 
breath  is  in  my  body,  but  war,  and  that  with  unreason- 
able men,  a  divided  parish,  an  angry  clergy,  a  wicked 
Sodom,  and  a  wicked  world."  No  one  was  more  zealous 
in  his  cause,  and  rejoiced  more  at  his  success,  than  the 
noble-hearted  Countess.  Mr.  Jesse,  of  West  Bromwich, 
who  was  with  Lady  Huntingdon  and  Mr.  Shirley  at  Oat- 
hall,  describes  tlie  interest  she  took  in  the  welfare  of  her 


LAW- SUITS.  221 

minister,  and  in  his  success.  "We  have  had  quite  a 
little  jubilee  on  the  confirmation  of  the  validity  of  our 
dear  brother  Eomaine's  election.  Never  have  I  seen  more 
heart-felt  joy  and  gratitude  than  was  expressed  on  that 
occasion  by  her  Ladyship.  I  verily  believe  that  if  Mr. 
Romaine  had  not  gained  his  election,  the  disappointment 
and  vexation  would  have  well  nigh  killed  her."  The 
anxiety  of  the  Countess  arose,  not  so  much  from  her 
concern  for  the  personal  comfort  and  pecuniary  advan- 
tage of  her  chaplain,  though  she  could  not  be  indifferent 
to  these  things,  as  for  the  consequences  which  would 
have  resulted  to  the  interests  of  true  religion,  if  the  ene- 
mies of  the  gospel  had  triumphed  in  Blackfriars.  The 
church  occupied  a  most  commanding  position  in  a  popu- 
lous neighbourhood,  and  exerted  an  extensive  influence 
around ;  and  the  Countess  was  desirous  of  obtaining  it 
for  Mr.  Romaine,  that  not  only  its  walls  might  ring  with 
the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  but  its  influence  might  be 
of  that  holy  nature,  which  would  further  the  spread  of 
the  gospel,  and  induce  multitudes  to  listen  to  its  impor- 
tant truths.  Her  Ladyship  was  inflamed  with  holy  zeal ; 
and  she  was  determined  to  act  on  the  advice  of  Romaine 
— to  get  churches,  and  pray  for  evangelical  ministers  ; — 
and  the  remainder  of  her  life  was  occupied  in  providing 
both. 

19* 


222    MEMOIR  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 


CHAPTER  XIII.    A.D.  1764—1767. 

THE  POWER  OF  EXAMPLE. — THE  CHAPEL  AT  LEWES. — 
WORTHING.  —  LADY  HUNTINGDON 's  CATHOLICITY.  — 
CHAPEL  AT  BRETBY. — OPENING  OF  THE  CHAPEL  AT 
BATH. — HER  MINISTERS. — FLETCHER. — CONVERSION  OF 
LADY  GLENORCHY. — DEATH  OF  THE  EARL  AND  COUN- 
TESS OF  SUTHERLAND. — ANECDOTE. — LETTER  OF  LADY 
HUNTINGDON  TO  MRS.  POWYS. — WESLEY  AT  BATH. — 
HORACE  WALPOLE. — NICODEMUS'  CORNER. — THE  NOBI- 
LITY FLOCK  TO  THE  CHAPEL.  —  ENLARGEMENT  OF 
BRIGHTON   CHAPEL. 

The  efforts  of  Lady  Huntingdon  were  not  confined  to 
the  locality  where  she  had  erected  a  place  of  worship. 
Briefhton  was  a  centre  of  influences  which  radiated  in 
all  directions, — the  starting  point,  whence  her  devoted 
ministers  issued  to  carry  the  gospel  into  the  neighbour- 
ing towns  and  villages.  The  Countess  was  always  the 
pioneer  in  these  preaching  excursions;  she  procured  the 
Established  Churches  for  her  learned  chaplain,  Mr.  Ro- 
maine,  wherever  she  could ;  stood  by  her  ministers  when- 
ever they  preached  in  the  open  air ;  shared  in  the  privations 
and  perils  they  had  to  undergo ;  and  braved  with  them 
the  storms  of  persecution  to  which  not  unfrequently  they 
were  exposed.  Her  example  was  well  calculated  to  ani- 
mate their  zeal,  and  sustain  their  faith.  She  surrendered 
all  the  luxuries  and  comforts  of  life,  endured  the  scorn 
and  animosity  of  the  wicked,  rejoiced  in  the  thought  that 
she  was  counted  worthy  to  sulfer  shame  for  Christ,  and 
even  counted  not  her  own   life  dear   unto  her;  that  she 


THE    CHAPEL    AT    LEWES.  2  Jo 

might  have  the  unspeakable  satisfactioa  of  knowing,  that 
the  tidings  of  salvation  were  proclaimed  to  perishing  sin- 
ners. God  smiled  upon  her  disinterested  efforts ;  and 
made  her  the  honoured  instrument  of  planting  the  gospel 
standard  in  the  midst  of  the  strongholds  of  Satan's 
empire. 

The  town  of    Lewes,  Sussex,  early  attracted  her  atten- 
tion.    It  was  then  a  place  of  considerable  notoriety  for 
trade,   situated  to  the  north-east  of  Brighton,  and  was 
most  delightfully  located  on  the  banks  of  the  Otise,  which 
opened  up  a  communication  with  the  sea  at  New-haven. 
Her  chaplains  visited  this  place  at  her  request ;  and  in 
the  beginning  of  the  year  1765,  she  procured  one  of  the 
churches   for   Mr.   Eomaine.     His   preaching,  however, 
gave  great  offence  to  the  rector,   who  closed  the  pulpit 
ao-ainst  him ;  and  her  chaplain  afterwards  preached  in  a 
large  room,  and  ultimately  in  the  open  fields.     He  once 
preached  on  the  text  "Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world,"  to  a  large  congrega- 
tion ;  and  there  was  reason  to  believe  that  many  were 
deeply   impressed   with   the   truth.     Lady    Huntingdon 
could  not  then  prolong  her  stay  at  Lewes ;  and  in  Feb- 
ruary,  she  hastened  to  London,  where  she  visited  her 
aunt  Lady  Fanny  Shirley,   and  in  company  with  her 
chaplains,    attended   the    performance   of    the    oratorio 
"  Ruth  "  at  the  Lock  chapel.     Mr.  Madan  and  Dr.  Haweis, 
chaplains  to  the  Hospital,  were  very  musical,  and  com- 
posed several  tunes.      Among  the   productions   of   Mr. 
Madan  are  the  well-known  popular  pieces,   "  Before  Jeho- 
vah's awful  throned     ''  From  all  that  dwell  hehw  the  sides.'" 
"  Salvation,  0  the  joyful  sounds     "  To  God  the  only  luise.'' 
After  a  short  visit,  she  returned  to  Brighton,  and  again 
repaired  to  Lewes  in   the   company  of  Messrs.   Madan 
and  Fletcher.     She  obtained  permission  for  these  minis- 
ters to  preach  in  the  churches;  but  the  opposition  of  the 
clergy  to  their  doctrines  speedily  drove  them  from  the 


224  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

pulpits,  and  obliged  tliem  to  hire  a  large  room,  where 
they  preached  to  great  numbers.  She  was  satisfied  that 
the  Lord  had  called  her  to  erect  a  chapel  in  this  place. 

The  opposition  of  the  clergy  to  the  spiritual  doctrines 
of  the  gospel,  the  desire  of  the  people  to  listen  to  the 
truth,  the  impression  made  on  many  of  the  hearers,  and 
their  earnest  request  that  they  might  enjoy  the  ministra- 
tions of  some  evangelical  preacher,  combined  to  deter- 
mine her  Ladyship  to  erect  a  place  of  worship  at  Lewes. 
It  was  opened  on  the  13th  of  August,  1765,  when  ser- 
mons were  preached  by  Dr.  Peckwell,  rector  of  Bloxham, 
Lincolnshire,  who  afterwards  frequently  ministered  in 
her  chapels ;  by  Mr.  Penty cross,  afterwards  rector  of 
Wallingford  ;  and  by  the  celebrated  George  Burder,  then 
about  to  enter  on  his  career  as  an  independent  minister. 
This  chapel  was  regularly  supplied  by  her  Ladyship's 
ministers,  and  afterwards  by  her  students. 

In  the  month  of  April,  Eomaine  again  visited  Lady 
Huntingdon  at  Brighton,  where  Mr.  Howell  Davies  was 
zealously  labouring.  At  this  period  the  present  fashiona- 
ble watering-town  of  Worthing  was  a  small  fishing  place ; 
though  even  now  it  began  to  be  visited  by  a  few  persons, 
who  wished  to  enjoy  the  quietude  of  the  country,  and 
the  benefit  of  sea-bathing,  for  w^hich  its  extensive  sands 
were  far  preferable  to  the  shingles  of  Brighton.  Into 
this  place,  she  attempted  to  introduce  the  gospel,  and 
went  thither  with  her  ministers  to  reconnoitre  the  locality. 
While  Howell  Davies  was  preaching,  several  clergymen 
assembled,  and  used  every  exertion  to  create  a  riot 
among  the  people ;  but  they  were  defeated  in  their 
object ;  and  went  away,  threatening  revenge  on  the  first 
Methodist  preacher  they  met  with.  After  visiting  this 
town  a  few  times,  the  Countess  did  not  attempt  anything 
further  here,  but  confined  her  labours  for  the  present  to 
the  three  chapels  she  already  possessed  in  Sussex* 

The  tone  of  Lady  HuntingTlon's  mind  was  exalted  far 


CHAPEL     AT    BRETBY.  225 

above  tlie  narrow  feelings  of  sectarian  principles.  She 
had  her  own  views  and  principles,  which  she  held  with 
a  tenacity,  that  nothing  but  a  conviction  of  their  errone- 
ousness  could  ever  have  destroyed ;  but  she  never  con- 
stituted them  the  standard  by  which  to  test  others,  and  to 
pronounce  sentence  upon  them.  Her  catholicity  em- 
braced all  pious  ministers,  who  held  the  essential  truths 
of  the  gospel ;  and  though  she  was  thoroughly  attached 
to  the  services  of  the  Established  Church,  she  frequently 
observed,  that  she  had  no  objection  to  hear  the  truth 
from  the  lips  of  a  dissenter,  provided  he  has  no  design  to 
form  a  party ;  and  delighted  to  correspond  with  such 
liberal-minded  men  as  Doddridge,  Watts,  and  others.  By 
the  advice  of  Howell  Davies,  she  wrote  to  the  Kev.  D. 
Edwards,  a  dissenting  minister  at  Ipswick,  and  invited 
him  to  supply  her  chapel  at  Brighton.  This  eminent  min- 
ister was  of  the  same  catholic  spirit  as  Lady  Huntingdon, 
and  in  a  long  letter  to  her,  descants  on  the  importance  of  its 
manifestation.  He  says,  "  I  have  had  repeated  evidences 
from  many  parts  of  the  kingdom,  that  your  Ladyship's 
truly  catholic  spirit  has  influenced  many ;  and  a  review 
of  that  evangelical  temper,  which  you  cultivate,  will 
afford  an  inward  satisfaction,  which  applause  cannot  give, 
or  censure  take  away.  What  a  great  historian  says  of 
Vespasian  is  equally  applicable  to  your  Ladyship ; — that 
your  noble  descent  and  your  rich  abundance  have 
changed  nothing  in  you  but  this,  that  your  power  of 
doing  good  is  made  in  some  degree  to  answer  your  will, 
counting  it  a  greater  honour  to  lay  out  for  God  than  to 
lay  up  for  yourself." 

Lady  Huntingdon  shortly  after  quitted  Brighton,  and 
repaired  to  Bath.  Her  labours  in  this  beautiful  city  had 
been  crowned  with  the  divine  blessing ;  and  she  resolved 
to  erect  a  permanent  residence  and  a  chapel,  that  she 
might  be  enabled  to  glorify  God  on  a  more  extensive 
scale.     She  selected   an  appropriate  piece  of  ground  in 


226  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     H  U  N  T  I X  G  D  O  X  . 

the  Vineyards,  and  with  great  zeal  commenced  building 
her  house,  and  that  chapel  which  for  nearly  a  century 
has  attracted  crowded  audiences  to  hear  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation.  While  these  buildings  were  in  progress, 
Lady  Huntingdon  accepted  Lord  Chesterfield's  oft'er  of 
his  house  and  chapel  at  Bretby  Hall,  Derbyshire.  She 
was  accompanied  by  Mr.  Jesse,  of  West  Bromwich,  and 
arrived  at  his  Lordship's  residence  about  the  end  of  July; 
and  was  soon  after  followed  by  Mr.  Komaine,  and  Mr. 
Townsend,  rector  of  Pewsey,  Wilts.  These  ministers 
alternately  preached  at  the  Hall  chapel ;  but  when  White- 
field,  who  had  just  returned  from  America,  visited  them 
on  his  way  to  London,  the  audience  was  so  great  that, 
while  Eomaine  preached  in  the  chapel,  the  other  minis- 
ters addressed  the  vast  crowds  in  the  extensive  park  sur- 
rounding the  mansion.  Their  labours,  however,  were 
not  confined  to  Bretby ;  for  Eomaine  says  in  one  of  his 
letters,  ''  Fifteen  pulpits  were  open,  and  showers  of  grace 
came  down ;  but  Mrs.  Wordsworth  (Townsend's  sister) 
was  taken  ill,  and  obliged  to  go  to  Bath,  and  this  broke 
up  the  party."  Lady  Huntingdon  returned  to  Bath  with 
Mr.  Townsend  and  his  sister,  and  Eomaine  journeyed  to 
Brighton  and  OathalL 

The  chapel  was  now  nearly  completed ;  and  the  Coun- 
tess wrote  to  her  various  ministers  to  summon  them  to  be 
present  on  the  joyful  occasion  of  dedicating  it  to  the 
service  of  God.  Eomaine  was  reaping  a  plentiful  harvest 
in  her  chapels  at  Brighton  and  Oathall ;  aud  wrote  to 
her,  ''The  society  most  earnestly  entreat  you,  if  Mr. 
Madan  should  come  down  to  Bath,  that  I  may  be  suffered 
to  stay  here  with  them.  Why  should  we  both  be  there 
at  the  same  time,  to  stand  in  one  another's  way  ?  "  Mr. 
Madan  was  unable  to  attend,  and  the  Countess  wrote 
again  to  Eomaine,  pressing  him  to  come ;  but  he  replied, 
''I  must  openly  tell  you  that  my  very  heart  and  soul  are 
now  in  this  work;    inasmuch  that  I  have  not  minded 


HEK     MINISTERS.  227 

going  to  Oathall  wet  to  the  skin,  for  the  joy  that  was  set 
before  me."  At  length  the  arrangements  were  completed ; 
and  on  the  6th  of  October,  1765,  this  substantial  and 
commodious  chapel  was  thrown  open  for  the  public  wor- 
ship of  God,  and  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The 
phxce  was  densely  crowded  with  an  attentive  audience, 
and  great  numbers  of  the  nobility,  who  had  been  speci- 
ally invited  by  her  Ladyship,  attended.  Whiteiield 
preached  an  eloquent  discourse  in  the  morning  from  ii 
Cor.  vi;  16,  and  Mr.  Townsend  proclaimed  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation  in  the  evening.  In  a  letter  to 
his  friend,  Robert  Keene,  Whitefield  says: — '^ Could  you 
have  been  present  at  the  opening  of  the  chapel,  you 
would  have  been  much  pleased.  The  building  is  ex- 
tremely plain,  and  yet  equally  grand.  A  most  beautiful 
original !  All  was  conducted  with  great  solemnity. 
Though  a  wet  day,  the  place  was  very  full,  and  assuredly 
the  great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls  consecrated  and 
made  it  holy  ground  by  his  presence." 

Whitefield  preached  at  Bath  but  a  few  times,  being 
obliged  soon  to  return  to  London;  but  Mr.  Madan 
speedily  arrived,  and  attracted  considerable  notice  in  the 
city.  Mr.  Romaine  also  spent  some  weeks  at  her  Lady- 
ship's house,  and  preached  with  great  power  and  success 
in  her  chapel.  He  deemed  it  no  slight  honour  to  be  asso- 
ciated with  the  gifted  Whitefield  in  proclaiming  the  truths 
of  the  gospel.  He  followed  up  his  early  labours  at 
Brighton  ;  and  though  for  prudential  reasons,  and  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  an  entrance  into  the  pulpits  of  the 
Establishment,  he  did  not  officiate  in  Whitefield's  chapels, 
lie  honoured  his  character,  gloried  in  his  friendship, 
and  associated  with  him  in  his  extensive  labours.  Both 
were  excellent  and  remarkable  men,  though  possessing 
different  qualities.  For  popular  eloquence  and  com- 
manding oratory,  Whitefield  was  unrivalled ;  but  in 
erudition,    and    critical   knowledge    of    the     Scriptures, 


228  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTIXGDON. 

Eomaine  was  far  superior  to  liim,  and   to   most   of  liis 
coDtemporaries. 

Lady  Huntingdon  passed  the  winter  of  1765  between 
Brighton  and  Oathall,  and  returned  to  Bath  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  spring  of  the  next  year.  Shortly  after  her 
return,  the  Countess  invited  Mr.  Fletcher  from  Madeley 
to  preach  in  her  chapel.  He  accepted  the  invitation  ;  and 
soon  attracted  large  audiences  by  his  fervid  and  spiritual 
addresses.  He  had  made  astonishing  progress  in  acquir- 
ing the  English  language,  which  he  now  spoke  with  a 
fluency  and  precision,  which,  when  animated  with  his 
lively  feelings,  rendered  his  eloquence  peculiarly  touching 
and  impressive.     His  friend  Mr.  Gilpin  says  of  him : — 

"  There  was  an  energy  in  his  preaching  that  was  irre- 
sistable.  His  subjects,  his  language,  his  gestures,  the  tone 
of  his  voice,  and  the  turn  of  his  countenance,  all  con- 
spired to  fix  the  attention,  and  affect  the  heart.  Without 
aiming  at  sublimity,  he  was  truly  sublime ;  and  uncom- 
monly eloquent,  without  affecting  the  orator.  He  was 
wondrously  skilled  in  adapting  himself  to  the  different 
capacities  and  conditions  of  his  hearers.  He  could  stoop 
to  the  illiterate,  and  rise  with  the  learned  ;  he  had  incon- 
trovertible arguments  for  the  sceptic,  and  powerful  per- 
suasions for  the  listless  believer ;  he  had  sharp  remon- 
strance for  the  obstinate,  and  strong  consolation  for  the 
mourner.  To  hear  him  without  admiration  was  impossi- 
ble; without  profit,  improbable!  The  unthinking  went 
from  his  presence  under  the  influence  of  serious  impres- 
sions, and  the  obdurate  with  kindled  relentings." 

It  was  during  her  present  stay  in  Bath,  that  Lady 
Huntingdon  became  acquainted  with  Lady  Glenorchy  ;  a 
name  which  was  soon  associated  with  all  that  is  good  and 
holy  in  the  metropolis  of  Scotland.  Lord  and  Lady 
Glenorchy  had  lately  returned  from  the  continent,  and 
resided  at  Great  Sugnal,  a  short  distance  from  Hawkestonc, 


CONVERSION    OF   LADY    GLENORCHY.     229 

the  celebrated  seat  of  Sir  Eowland  Hill.     At  this  time, 
several  members  of  the  family — Mr.  Eichard  Hill,   his 
brother    Eowland,    their    eldest    sister,    and    Elizabeth, 
another  sister — were  of  a  decidedly  pious  character  ;  and 
bore  with  meekness  the  reproach  which  the  world  cast 
npon  them,  because  of  their  religion.     Lady  Glenorchy 
soon  became  intimate  with  the  Hills,  and  often  expressed 
the  wish   that  she  possessed  the   jDcace   and   happiness 
which  she  perceived  they  enjoyed.     A  warm  attachment 
speedily  grew  up  between  her  and  Miss  Hill,  who  was 
about  her  own  age,  and  became  her  bosom  friend.     In 
the  summer  of  the  year  1765,  her  Ladyship  was  seized 
with  a  dangerous  putrid  fever,  which  confined  her  to  her 
bed  for  a  considerable  time.     This  affliction,  however,  was 
the  means  of  leading  her  to  see  her  sinful  state  by  nature, 
and  to  confide  in  Christ  alone  for  salvation.'    She  then 
felt  the  value  of  possessing  such  a  gentle,  wise,  and  affec- 
tionate friend  as  she  found  in  Miss  Hill,  whose  holy  con- 
versation exerted  a  most  blessed  influence  on  her  mind 
and  body.     The  joy  of  the  believer  was  awakened  in  her 
heart  ;  and  she  resolved  to  forsake  the  gaieties   of  the 
world,  to  consecrate  herself  to  Christ  and  to  spend  the 
remainder  of  her  life  in  promoting  the  interests  of  his 
kingdom.     As  soon  as  she  was  well  enough  to  bear  the 
fatigue  of  a  long  journey,  she  repaired  to  Bath  ;  where 
her  friends  tried  every  inducement  to  lead  her  to  forget 
her  past  sorrows,  and  shake  off  her  serious  impressions, 
by   mingling   with   gay  and  fashionable   society.     She, 
however,   remained  firm   in  her  purpose  to  devote  her 
whole  energies  and  influence  to  the  cause  of  Christ.    Her 
intimacy  with  Lady  Huntingdon,  at  this  critical  period, 
was  of  essential  service   to   her.     The  excellent  advice, 
and   scriptural   conversation   of    the    Countess,  and  the 
preaching  of  her  devoted  ministers,  greatly  contributed 
to  establish  her  faith,  and  animate  her  zeal ;  and  prepared 
her  to  tread  firmly  the  path  which  the  providence  of  God 

20 


230  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

liad  marked  out  for  lier.  Her  career  was  a  very  check- 
ered one ;  yet  all  lier  trials  and  temptations,  her  afflictions 
and  the  reproaches  of  friends,  could  not  move  her  from 
the  position  she  had  taken,  nor  quench  the  burning  love 
which  she  felt  towards  perishing  souls.  She  was  destined 
to  be  the  Selina  of  Scotland.  Lady  Huntingdon  was 
her  model;  from  her  she  drank  copious  draughts  of  spiri- 
tual truth,  and  caught  that  inspiration  which  urged  her 
along  in  her  noble  efforts.  She  left  Bath  in  the  spring  ; 
and  soon  after  her  arrival  in  Edinburgh,  thus  ex^^ressed 
to  Lady  Huntingdon  her  gratitude  and  thanks  for  the 
inestimable  benefits  she  had  conferred  upon  her  by  her 
conversation  and  society  : — 

''  My  dear  Madam, — How  shall  I  express  the  sense  I 
have  of  your  goodness  ?  It  is  impossible  in  words.  But 
my  comfortis,  that  the  Lord  knows  the  grateful  thoughts 
of  my  heart,  and  he  will  amply  reward  you  for  the 
kindness  you  have  shown  a  poor  unworthy  creature, 
whom  blindness  and  ignorance  rendered  an  object  of 
pity.  When  you  say  your  heart  is  attached  to  me,  I 
tremble  lest  I  should  prove  an  additional  cross  to  you  in 
the  end;  and  the  pain  I  suffer  in  the  apprehension  of 
this  is  unspeakable.  I  hope  the  Lord  permits  it  as  a 
spur  to  me  to  be  watchful,  and  to  keep  near  to  him,  who 
alone  is  able  to  keep  me  from  falling.  I  can  truly  say, 
that,  next  to  the  favour  of  God,  my  utmost  ambition  is 
to  be  found  worthy  of  the  regard  which  your  Ladyship 
is  pleased  to  honor  me  with,  and  to  be  one  of  those  who 
shall  make  up  the  crown  of  rejoicing  for  you  in  the  day 
of  our  Lord. 

I  am  sorry  to  take  up  more  of  your  precious  time 
than  is  needful  to  express  my  gratitude  for  the  obliging 
lines  your  Ladyship  favoured  me  with ;  and  will  only 
add,  that  I  ever  am,  with  the  greatest  respect  and  affec- 
tion, my  dear  and  much  honoured  Madam,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  w.  glenorchy." 


EARL  AND  COUNTESS  OF  SUTHERLAND.  231 

A  short  time  after  the  departure  of  Lady  Glenorchy, 
tlie  Earl  and  Countess  of  Sutherland  came  to  Bath  in 
deep  distress  at  the  untimely  death  of  their  eldest  daugh- 
ter. The  Countess,  who  was  the  only  sister  of  Lady 
Glenorchy,  gave  her  a  letter  of  introduction  to  Lady 
Huntiugdon.  They  called  upon  her  Ladyship,  who  mani- 
fested a  very  strong  interest  in  them.  ''Never,"  she 
says,  ''have  I  seen  a  more  lovely  couple;  they  may, 
indeed,  with  justice  be  called  the  Flower  of  Scotland ; 
and  such  amiability  of  disposition,  so  teachable,  so  mild ! 
They  have  indeed  been  cast  in  Nature's  finest  mould. 
Bowed  down  to  the  earth  by  grief,  they  are  almost  incon- 
solable for  the  loss  of  their  daughter.  Dear  Lady  Glen- 
orchy is  extremely  anxious  on  their  account."  At  this 
critical  period  in  their  history,  Whitefield  came  to  Bath 
to  supply  the  chapel.  He  says  in  a  letter  to  a  friend, 
dated  March  17th,  1766,  "Last  Friday  evening,  and 
twice  yesterday,  I  preached  at  Bath  to  very  thronged 
and  brilliant  auditories.  I  am  told  it  was  a  high  day. 
The  glory  of  the  Lord  filled  the  house.  To-morrow,  God 
willing,  I  return  thither  again.  Mr.  Townsend  is  too  ill 
to  officiate.  Lady  Huntingdon  is  mounting  on  her  high 
places."  The  Earl  and  Countess  were  induced  to  attend 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel  at  the  chapel.  The  opportu- 
nity of  doing  this  was  not  long  continued ;  for  shortly 
after  their  arrival,  the  Earl  was  attacked  by  a  violent 
fever,  with  which  he  struggled  fifty-four  days,  and  then 
expired,  in  the  fifty- first  year  of  his  age.  His  Countess 
was  unremitting  in  her  attention  to  him;  for  twenty-one 
days  and  nights  she  watched  over  him  in  his  chamber, 
without  retiring  to  rest ;  and  when  he  died,  she  gave  way 
to  the  most  poignant  grief,  which  crushed  her  to  the 
ground.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  her  true  friend  in  the 
season  of  her  anguish ;  she  visited  her  frequently,  and 
endeavoured  to  pour  into  her  bleeding  heart  the  rich 
consolations  of  the  gospel :  and  caused  public  prayers  to 


232  MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

be  offered  on  her  behalf  at  the  chapel.  The  blow,  how- 
ever, was  too  severe  for  her  devoted  heart  to  bear.  Her 
strength  was  prostrated  bj  the  fatigue  of  watching  at  the 
bedside  of  her  husband ;  her  mind  was  consumed  with 
grief;  and  in  seventeen  days  after  his  death,  she  fell  a 
victim  to  that  disease  which  had  snatched  away  her  be- 
loved partner.  The  melancholy  event  spread  a  general 
gloom  over  the  gay  inhabitants  of  Bath ;  the  deep  inte- 
rest, which  their  death  awakened,  was  increased  by  the 
spectacle  of  the  infant  daughter,  left  an  orphan ;  and 
many  were  induced  to  attend  the  chapel,  who  had  hith- 
erto refused  to  enter  it,  and  were  impressed  with  serious 
convictions.  Two  sermons  were  preached  there  on  the 
solemn  occasion,  when  most  of  the  nobility  then  in  Bath 
attended ;  and  the  mysterious  stroke  of  God's  providence 
reminded  many  of  their  own  frailty  and  sinfulness,  and 
brought  them  to  submit  to  the  authority  of  Christ. 

A  remarkable  circumstance  occurred  in  connection 
with  this  sudden  bereavement.  It  may  appear  strange 
and  unaccountable,  but  it  is  a  fact,  that  Lady  Alva,  the 
mother  of  the  Countess,  knew  nothing  of  the  death  of 
her  daughter  till  nearly  three  weeks  after  the  event  had 
taken  place.  The  death  of  the  Earl  had  been  communi- 
cated, but  not  that  of  the  Countess.  The  manner  in 
which  she  became  acquainted  with  it  was  peculiarly 
singular  and  impressive.  When  she  was  hastening  from 
Scotland  to  the  assistance  of  her  daughter,  she  happened 
to  alight  from  her  carriage  at  the  door  of  a  certain  inn 
on  the  road  to  Bath.  She  saw  two  hearses  standing  near, 
and  curiosity  prompted  her  to  ask  whose  remains  they 
contained.  Her  feelings  may  be  easier  imagined  than 
described,  when  she  was  informed  that  they  contained 
the  remains  of  Lord  and  Lady  Sutherland,  which  were 
going  to  Scotland  to  be  interred  in  the  ancestral  vault ! 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  her  friends.  Lady  Hunting- 
don left  Bath  for  Brighton;    where  she  remained  the 


LADY    Huntingdon's    letter.  233 

principal  part  of  tlie  summer,   actively  engaged  in  tlie 
work  of  the  Lord.     She  was  here  visited  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Powys,   who  were  intimate  friends  of  Whitefield,   and 
warm    admirers   of    her   Ladyship.      Whitefield   styled 
them,  ''his  honoured  and  happy  pair,"  and  congratulated 
them   that,   while  his  cloud  pointed  towards  Bath  and 
Bristol,  their's  directed  them  to  Brighton.     He  wrote  to 
them,   June  2nd,   and  says,    ''How  glad  will  the  noble 
Countess  be  of  the  intended  visit!    How  will  the  hearts, 
both  of  the  visited  and  visitors,  be  made  to  burn  within 
them  ! "      Messrs.  Fletcher  and  Romaine  were  with  her 
Ladyship  during  the  stay  of  her  friends  ;  and  in  October, 
Mr.  Fletcher,  accompanied  by  Lady  Huntingdon,   came 
to  London,  where,  says  Whitefield,  "he  became  a  scanda- 
lous Tottenham-court  preacher;  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powys 
went  on  a  visit  to  Mr.  Venn  in  Yorkshire.     Thither  the 
Countess  sent  the  following  letter  to  Mrs.  Powys,  which 
gives  a  fair  specimen  of  the  correspondence  of  her  Lady- 
ship with  her  friends,  and  her  intense  devotion  to  Christ. 

"  My  Dear  Madam, — As  I  have  no  expectation  of  see- 
ing you  again,  from  all  the  uncertainty  of  all  things 
on  earth,  which  suffers  us  not  to  call  anything 
our  own  that  time  possesses  us  of,  I  could  not  for- 
bear communicating  my  sentiments  of  love  and  tender 
regard  to  you  and  Mr.  Powys,  hoping  that  the  conviction 
that  will  follow  from  them  Avill  be  sufficient  to  assure 
you  how  glad  I  should  be  to  wait  upon  you,  though  the 
interposition  of  providence  may  prevent  my  ever  having 
that  opportunity.  I  really  mean  that  my  frieiidships, 
visits,  conversatio7is,  with  every  intercourse  of  mankind,  should 
lead  to  hut  one  end.  I  don't  mean  by  this  merely  the 
necessary  consistency  required  of  a  religious  profession, 
or  the  splendid  appearances  of  a  devout  (or  sanctimoni- 
ous) character.  0,  no!  these  the  poorest  and  blindest 
hypocrite  may  excel  in;    but  the  knowledge  of  truth — 

20* 


234  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

essentially   and   eflfectually   distinguislied   from   all    the 
plausible  opinions  about  it — is  my  all! 

*'  These  words  in  youv  letter  struck  me  with  a  simpli- 
city I  loved ; — '  All  I  know  is,  that  I  am  exceedingly 
ignorant,  and  have  need  to  be  taught  as  a  little  child.' 
To  this  real  disposition  is  all  trust  eminently  and  speci- 
ally addressed ;  and  without  this  kind  of  docility,  we 
must  remain  where  we  were.  I  don't  suppose  you  con- 
sider it  needful  to  become  so,  as  to  man ;  but  are  you  so 
before  Him  who  alone  can  teach,  guide,  and  lead  into  all 
truth  ?  Kead  from  the  25th  verse  to  the  end  of  the  14th 
chapter  of  St.  Luke ;  and  see  if,  out  of  that  great  multi- 
tude that  followed  Him,  you  would  have  rejoiced  when 
he  turned  and  said  to  them,  '  If  any  man  come  to  me,  and 
hate  not,'  &c.,  'he  cannot  be  my  disciple; '  for  we  hear 
of  none  that  chose  Him  out  of  that  multitude ;  and  in 
what  a  state  of  preparation  for  heavenly  things  must 
that  heart  have  been,  that  could  have  embraced  Him  in 
his  low  and  despised  estate  so  highly,  as  to  fly  from  all 
things  else,  nearest  and  dearest,  as  hateful,  to  follow  Him. 
Is  then,  this  the  disposition  of  your  heart,  my  dearest 
Madam?  This  was  not  said  to  apostles,  or  eminently 
chosen  instruments,  but  'if  any  man  come  to  me.'  *  ^  ■^• 

"A  lady  of  great  quality  I  knew,  that  had  most  seri- 
ous and  religious  sentiments,  and  of  this  world,  in  person, 
fortune,  family,  friends,  &c.,  an  uncommon  share.  A 
gentleman,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  her,  and  saw 
the  snares  that  would  beset  her  in  order  to  prevent  the 
solid  experience  of  the  truth,  dealt  most  plainly  with  her, 
and  showed  her  the  consequence  of  a  divided  heart.  It 
gave  her  great  pain  for  a  time ;  but  at  and  before  her  death, 
she  would  often  cry  out,  'O  what  great,  what  unspeaka- 
ble obligations  do  I  now  feel  for  that  dear  and  faithful 
friend  who  dealt  so  plainly  with  me; '  and  indeed  her  death 
was  the  most  blessed  proof  of  that  solid  and  most  sub- 


WESLEY     AT    BATH.  235 

stantial  evidence  she  had  of  future  glory  ;  for  mortality 
was  swallowed  up  of  life,  visibly  to  others. 

"  It  is  this  sort  of  friends  I  feel  I  want  for  myself,  who 
will  ever  contend  with  every  false  rest  I  would  set  up ; 
and  with  faith  and  zeal  be  hastening  my  slow  and  lazy 
steps  through  this  rough  wilderness  of  woe ;  such  it  only 
is  to  pilgrims ;  they  cannot  take  up  with  what  is  in  it, 
yet  loiter  in  that  way,  when  faith  and  love  would  make 
them  wings  to  soar  upon.  *  *  * 

^'Thus,  my  dearest  Madam,  may  you  and  I  practically 
know,  understand,  and  follow,  by  the  guidance  of  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  the  meaning  and  intent  of  all  religious 
truths  revealed  in  the  Bible;  unless  this  is  the  case,  we 
are,  and  shall  be  found,  the  sounding  brass,  and  nothing 
better.  To  our  great  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King  may  we 
ever  trust  and  commit  ourselves ;  and  in  his  arms  of  love 
and  mercy  may  we  be  found,  when  nothing  else  but  the 
merits  of  his  death,  shall  fill  heaven  and  our  hearts  with 
his  praises.  I  am,  dearest  Madam,  your  much  obliged 
friend,  and  obedient  humble  servant, 

S.  HUNTINGDON." 

''To  Mrs.  Powys." 

The  Countess  of  Huntingdon's  chapel  at  Bath  was, 
meanwhile,  crowded  with  attentive  and  noble  au.diences. 
She  procured  the  assistance  of  the  most  celebrated  preach- 
ers to  supply  the  pulpit.  Whitefield  preached  there  with 
his  usual  acceptance,  though  it  was  evident  to  his  friends 
that  his  powers  were  becoming  feeble  through  incessant 
toil.  Wesley  was  particularly  struck  with  the  change  in 
his  appearance.  He  says,  "He  seems  to  be  an  old  man, 
being  fairly  worn  out  in  his  Master's  service,  though  he 
has  hardly  seen  fifty  years.  He  breathes  nothing  but 
peace  and  love.  Bigotry  cannot  stand  before  him,  but 
hides  its  head  wherever  he  comes."  Wesley  had  failed 
to   accomplish  his   plan   of   uniting  all  the   evangelical 


236  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

clergymen  in  England;  and  it  was  agreed  that  Lady 
Huntingdon;  Whitefield,  John  and  Charles  Wesley, 
should  meet  as  frequently  as  convenient,  and  co-operate 
with  each  other  in  the  diffusion  of  truth.  "Wesley 
preached  in  Bath  towards  the  end  of  August,  and  says, 
^'Many  were  not  a  little  surprised  at  seeing  me  in  the 
Countess  of  Huntingdon's  chapel.  The  congregation  was 
not  only  large  but  serious ;  and  I  fully  delivered  my  own 
S0U.1."  During  his  stay  at  Bristol,  he  offered  his  services 
to  Lady  Huntingdon,  who,  in  a  letter  to  him,  dated  Sep- 
tember 14th,  1766,  says : — 

"I  am  most  highly  obliged  by  your  kind  offer  of  serv- 
ing the  chapel  at  Bath,  during  your  stay  at  Bristol ;  I 
mean  on  Sundays.  It  is  the  most  important  time,  being 
the  height  of  the  latter  season,  when  the  great  of  this 
world  are  only  in  the  reach  of  the  sound  of  the  gospel 
from  that  quarter.  The  mornings  are  their  time ;  the 
evenings,  the  inhabitants  chiefly.  I  do  trust  that  this 
union  which  is  commenced  will  be  for  the  furtherance  of 
our  faith  and  mutual  love  to  each  other.  It  is  for  the 
interest  of  the  best  of  causes,  that  we  should  all  be  found, 
first,  faithful  to  the  Lord,  and  then  to  each  other.  I  find 
something  wanting,  and  that  is  a  meeting  now  and  then 
agreed  upon,  that  you,  your  brother,  Mr.  Whitefield,  and 
I,  should  at  times  be  glad  regularly  to  communicate  our 
observations  upon  the  general  state  of  the  work.  Light 
might  follow,  and  would  be  a  kind  of  guide  to  me,  as  I 
am  connected  with  many. 

"  Universal  and  constant  usefulness  to  all,  is  the  impor- 
tant lesson.  And  when  we  are  fully  and  wholly  given  up 
to  the  Lord,  I  am  sure  the  heart  can  lono^  for  nothins;  so 
much  as  that  our  time,  talents,  life,  soul,  and  spirit,  may 
become  upon  earth  a  constant  and  living  sacrifice.  How 
can  I  be  most  so,  that  is  the  one  object  of  my  poor  heart. 
Therefore  to  have  all  the  light  that  is  possible,  to  see  my 
way  in  this   matter,   is  my  prayer  day  and  night;  for 


X  I  C  O  D  E  M  U  S '     CORNER.  237 

wortliy  is   the  Lamb  to   receive  all  honour,  and  glory 
and  blessing. 

"What  you  say  of  reproach,  I  hope  never  to  be  with- 
out, so  that  it  be  for  obeying.  I  am  honoured  by  every 
degree  of  contempt,  while  my  heart  has  its  faithful  testi- 
mony before  Him  who  can  search  it  to  the  bottom,  and 
knows  that  his  glory  and  the  good  of  souls  is  my  one 
object  upon  earth.  I  shall  turn  coward  and  disgrace  you 
all,  when  I  have  any  worse  ground  to  stand  upon ;  and  I 
am  sure  my  prayer  will  be  answered,  which  has  been 
made  these  seven-and-twenty  years,  that  whenever  his 
eye,  which  is  as  a  flame  of  fire,  sees  any  other  end  or 
purpose  of  my  heart,  he  will  remove  my  poor  wretched 
being  from  this  earth." 

"Wesley  was   very  popular  at  her  Ladyship's  chapel, 
and  drew  a  vast  audience  to  hear  him.     This  sanctuary 
was  the  chief  place  of  resort  for  the  nobility ;  and  Horace 
Walpole,  who  was  now  visiting  Bath,  and  attended  with 
his  friends,  gave  the  following  description  of  its  appear- 
ance.    "  They  have  boys  and  girls  with  charming  voices 
that  sing  hymns  in  parts.     The  chapel  is  very  neat,  with 
true  gothic  windows.     I  was  glad  to  see  that  luxury  is 
creeping  in  upon  them  before  persecution.     They  have 
very  neat  mahogany  stands  for  branches,  and  brackets  of 
the  same,  in  taste.     At  the  upper  end  in  a  broad  hautpas 
of  four  steps,  advancing  in  the  middle ;  at  each  end  of 
the  broadest  part  are  two  eagles,  with  red  cushions,  for 
the  parson  and  clerk.     Behind  them  rise  three  more  steps, 
in   the   midst  of  which  is  a  third  eagle  for   a  pulpit. 
Scarlet  arm-chairs  to  all  three.     On  either  hand  a  balcony 
for  elect  ladies.     The  rest  of  the  congregation  sit    on 
forms.     Behind  the  pit,  in  a  dark  niche,  is  a  plain  table 
within  rails ;    so  you  see  the  throne  is  for  the  apostle. 
Wesley  is  a  clean  elderly  man,  fresh  coloured,  his  hair 
smoothly  combed,  but  with  a  little  soupcon  of  curl  at  the 
ends.     Wondrous  clever,  but  as  evidently   an  actor  as 


238  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Garrick.  He  spoke  his  sermon,  but  so  fast,  and  with  so 
V'Jde  accent,  that  I  am  sure  he  has  often  uttered  it,  for  it 
/as  like  a  lesson.  There  were  parts  and  eloquence  in  it; 
3ut  towards  the  end,  he  exalted  his  voice,  and  acted  very 
vulgar  enthusiasm."  Such  was  the  picture  of  this  chapel 
ninety  years  ago.  Horace  Walpole  would  scarcely 
recognise  the  same  in  its  present  improved  condition. 
There  was  one  thing,  however,  which  escaped  the  keen 
eye  of  Walpole.  It  was  a  seat  for  Bishops ;  who  were 
frequently  present  during  the  service.  The  witty  and 
eccentric  Lady  Betty  Cobbe,  daughter-in-law  of  Dr. 
Cobbe,  Archbishop  of  Dublin,  was  cousin-german  to 
Lady  Huntingdon.  Her  influence  was  extensive,  and 
was  frequently  exerted  in  bringing  Bishops  to  the  chapel, 
whom  she  always  contrived  to  smuggle  into  the  curtained 
seats  immediately  inside  the  door,  where  they  heard  the 
preacher,  without  incurring  what  they  thought  would 
be  a  dreadful  disgrace  if  they  were  seen  in  such  a  place ! 
This  seat  Lady  Betty  facetiously  termed  ''  Nicodemiis'' 
Corner^'' 

Almost  all  the  persons  of  distinction  who  visited  Bath 
attended  Lady  Huntingdon's  chapel ;  and  Walpole  states 
that  it  was  quite  a  rage  among  persons  in  high  life  to 
form  parties  to  hear  the  different  preachers  who  officiated 
there.  Among  these  he  enumerates  Lord  Camden,  High 
Chancellor ;  Lord  ISTorthington,  President  of  the  Council, 
Earl  Chatham  and  family ;  Lord  Kockingham ;  Lord 
Malpas;  Lord  and  Lady  Powys  ;  Lord  and  Lady  Buchan 
and  family ;  Miss  Eich,  sister  to  Lord  Ly  ttleton ;  Duke  of 
Bedford  and  family;  &c.,  &c.  The  Bishop  of  Derry 
attended  frequently.  His  infirmities  led  him  often  to 
visit  Bath,  and  ultimately  to  take  up  his  residence  there. 
He  was  introduced  to  Lady  Huntingdon  by  Lady  Betty 
Cobbe,  and  spent  a  considerable  time  in  her  society.  He 
often  went  with  Lady  Betty  to  hear  the  various  ministers, 
towards  many  of  whom  he  manifested  great  kindness  and 


R  E-0  P  E N I  NG     OF     THE     CHAPEL.  239 

friendship.  On  one  occasion,  Wesley  spent  an  hour  with 
him  before  he  preached  at  the  chapel,  and  was  highly  de- 
lighted with  his  pious  conversation.  When  Wesley 
recommended  Mr.  Maxfield,  the  first  local-preacher,  for 
episcopal  ordination,  the  Bishop  readily  complied,  and 
said  to  the  candidate,  "  Sir,  I  ordain  you  to  assist  that 
good  man  that  he  may  not  work  himself  to  death." 

At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1767,  Lady  Huntingdon 
returned  to  Brighton  to  superintend  the  enlargement  of 
her  chapel.  The  preaching  of  the  gospel  had  attracted 
such  crowds,  and  produced  such  blessed  results,  that  the 
place  was  far  too  small  to  accommodate  the  people.  The 
chapel  was  closed  during  the  alterations  ;  and  on  the  20th 
of  March,  her  Ladyship  gathered  her  chaplains  around 
her,  and  re-opened  the  sanctuary  for  worship.  The  pre- 
vious day  was  devoted  to  earnest  and  solemn  prayer. 
In  the  morning  the  Countess  retired  to  her  closet,  and  for 
several  hours  wrestled  with  God  for  a  blessing  to  rest  on 
the  chapel  she  had  erected  for  his  service;  and  in  the 
evening,  a  prayer-meeting  was  held  in  her  house,  when 
her  ministers  implored  the  divine  sanction  and  presence. 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  accustomed  to  anticipate  the  pub- 
lic prayers  of  her  chaplains  by  her  own  private  interces- 
sions for  the  congregations.  Before  the  officiating  minis- 
ter entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  she  prayed 
in  retirement  that  divine  assistance  might  be  given,  to 
enable  him  to  preach  with  wisdom,  power,  fidelity,  and 
fervour  ;  and  that  the  hearers  might  have  a  serious  mind 
and  a  retentive  memory.  While  he  was  preaching,  she 
was  praying  that  the  Lord  might  bless  the  message  to  her 
own  heart,  and  the  hearts  of  the  people ;  and  when  the 
service  was  concluded,  she  often  retired  to  her  room,  to 
pray  that  the  Spirit  would  seal  the  instructions  of  the 
sanctuary,  and  bring  many  sinners  to  Christ.  ''  The  seed 
thus  sown  was  watered  by  her  abundant  prayers  and 
tears;  and  in  the  day  of  the  revelation  of  all  things,  it 


LADY     HUNTINGDON'S     LETTER.  240 

may  be  seen  that  through  prayers  the  CouDtess  and 
others  of  kindred  spirit  wielded  a  no  less  mighty  power 
in  the  revival  than  those  whose  coming  was  with  observa- 
tion in  the  public  assemblies." 


MR.   VENN.  241 


CHAPTER  Xiy.    A.D.    1767. 

LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  BATH. — MR.  VENN. — CAPTAIN 
SCOTT.— DR.  ANDREWS  AND  DR.  WARBURTON. — REV.  S. 
FURLEY. — LADY  ANN  ERSKINE. — THE  COUNTESS  VISITS 
YORKSHIRE. — STRANGE  SCENES.  —  RODBOROUGH. — MAD- 
ELEY. — BRETBY  HALL. — HUDDERSFIELD. — HER  LADY- 
SHIP'S SERIOUS  ILLNESS. — CONSOLATIONS  OF  FRIENDS. — 
MRS.  DEAN. — SAMSON  OCCUM,  THE  INDIAN  PREACHER. — 
LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  BATH. — DEATH  OF  MRS.  VENN. 
— REV.  ROWLAND  HILL. — LORD  DARTMOUTH. — DEATH 
OF   EARL   BUCHAN. — SOLEMN   SERVICES. 

On  the  30tli  of  March  1767,  Lady  Huntingdon  left 
Brighton  with  Miss  Orton,  an  intimate  friend,  for  London, 
where  she  remained  only  a  few  days,  and  thence  pro- 
ceeded to  Bath  to  visit  her  friends,  and  to  witness  the 
work  of  the  Lord  in  that  fashionable  city.  While  her 
Ladyship  was  at  the  seaside,  Romaine,  Whitefield,  and 
other  distinguished  ministers  of  Christ,  preached  in  her 
chapel  at  Bath,  and  stimulated  the  hearts  of  the  people 
with  their  heavenly  fervour.  Whitefield  was  succeeded 
by  Mr.  Yenn,  who  was  admirably  calculated  to  attract 
and  impress  the  illustrious  hearers.  He  was  a  powerful 
and  successful  preacher,  and  was  a  most  agreeable  com- 
panion and  friend.  He  had  at  his  comm^and  a  vast  store 
of  racy  anecdotes,  which  he  told  with  such  effect  that 
they  illustrated  the  point  he  was  enforcing,  and  deeply 
impressed  it  on  the  heart.  After  supplying  her  Ladyship's 
chapel  at  Bath  for  two  months,  he  preached  at  Bristol, 
and  Gloucester,  and  went  to  Talgart,  whence  he  gives  a 

21 


242         MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

beautiful  account  of  a  spot  dear  to  the  Countess — ''  Happy 
Trevecca" — and  of  Howell  Harris,  who  had  been  with  her 
at  Brighton,  and  afterwards  joined  her  at  Bath,  where  he 
preached  in  her  chapel,  and  in  some  of  the  houses  of  the 
nobility.     Mr.  Yenn  writes  ; — 

"  Howell  Harris  is  the  father  of  that  settlement,  and  the 
founder.  After  labouring  for  fifteen  years,  more  vio- 
lently than  any  of  the  servants  of  Christ,  in  this  revival, 
he  was  so  hurt  in  body  as  to  be  confined  to  his  own 
house  for  seven  years.  Upon  the  beginning  of  this  con- 
finement, first  one  and  then  another,  whom  the  Lord  had 
converted  under  his  word,  to  the  number  of  near  a  hun- 
dred, came  and  desired  to  live  with  him,  and  that  they 
would  work  and  get  their  bread.  By  this  means,  near 
one  hundred  and  twenty,  men,  women,  and  children, 
from  very  distant  parts  of  Wales,  came  and  fixed  their 
tents  at  Trevecca.  We  were  there  three  days,  and  heard 
their  experience;  which  they  spoke  in  Welsh  to  Mr. 
Harris,  and  he  interpreted  to  us.  Of  all  the  people  I 
ever  saw,  this  society  seems  to  be  the  most  advanced  in 
grace.  They  speak  as  men  and  women  who  feel  them- 
selves every  moment  worthy  of  eternal  punishment  and 
infinitely  base  ;  and  yet  at  the  same  time,  have  such  cer- 
tainty of  salvation  through  the  second  Man,  the  Lord 
from  heaven,  as  is  indeed  delightful  to  behold.  My  heart 
received  a  blessing  from  them  and  their  pastor,  which 
will  abide  with  me." 

His  stay  at  Trevecca,  however,  was  very  short ;  and  on 
his  return  to  Huddcrsfield,  he  visited  Mr.  Powys,  at  Ber- 
wick, where  he  wrote  a  long  letter  to  Lady  Huntingdon. 
He  says  ''From  Trevecca,  we  came  to  Berwick,  where, 
though  we  did  not  find  you  had  yet  made  the  squire  a 
preacher,  yet  botli  his  consort  and  himself  were  much 
the  better  in  their  souls  for  the  rummaging  they  went 
through  at  Brighthelmstone ; — not  from  the  custom- 
house   officers,  but  from    one  who  is  zealous  least    the 


HAPPY      TREVECCA.  243 

revenue  of  Jesus  sliould  sustain  damage,  and  that  none 
should  be  deceived  into  a  notion  that  their  goods  have 
the  seal  royal  upon  them,  when  it  is  no  more  than  a 
counterfeit  ticket.  In  a  word,  they  are  both,  I  trust,  in 
earnest,  seeking  the  face  of  the  Lord,  and  to  know  the 
certainty  of  the  words  of  truth." 

During  his  stay  at  Berwick,  he  was  surprised  with  a 
visit  from  CaiDtain  Scott,  who  was  spending  a  few  days 
with  his  friends  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  rode  over  to 
deliver  a  letter  from  Mr.  Eomaine  to  Mr.  Powys.     His 
conversion  to  God  had  not  been  made  known  to  them ; 
and  one  morning,  soon  after  breakfast  and  family  prayer, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powys  and  Mr.  Yenn  were  looking  from 
the  parlour  window  in  the  front  of  the  hall,  and  per- 
ceived a  military  officer  in  his  uniform  riding  towards 
the  house.     Mr.  Powys  recognised  him  at  a  distance,  and 
said,   '^Ilere   comes   Captain  Scott;    what   can   he  want 
here  ?    I  am  determined  not  to  see  him  if  I  can  avoid  it." 
They    immediately  withdrew   from    the   window.     The 
Captain  rode  up,  and  asked  if  Mr.  Powys  was  at  home : 
and  the  servant  uninstructed  by  his  master  to  tell  an  un- 
truth  to  avoid  an   inconvenience,  replied  that   he  was. 
Mr.  Powys  appeared,  and  received  his  visitor  with  an  air 
of  distant  civility,  thinking  that  his  presence  would  be 
an    interruption  to   the  spiritual  enjoyment  of  himself 
and  his  friends.    The  Captain  presented  Eomaine's  letter, 
which  narrated  the  remarkable    conversion  of  the  offi- 
cer.    Mr.  Powys  read  it  with  very  deep  interest ;  which 
at  length  so  increased,  that  he  caught  Captain  Scott  in  his 
arms,  embraced  him  with  the  affection  of  a  father,  and 
cried  out,    in   a   voice   tremulous,  with   emotion,    "Mr. 
Venn  !  Mrs.  Powys  !  come  !  come  here  quickly.     Here  is 
Captain   Scott  a  convert  to   Christ,  a   new  creature   in 
Christ  Jesus !  "     They  hurried  to  the  spot,  read  the  letter 
of  her  Ladyship's  chaplain,    embraced  their  brother   in 
the  faith  ;  and  like  those  pure  spirits  who  weep  over  sin- 


244  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

ners,  and  sing  over  the  penitent,  they  rejoiced  over  bim 
witli  full  and  grateful  hearts. 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  Bath,  Dr.  Andrews, 
who  held  the  living  of  Stinchcombe,  preached  very  fre- 
quently at  her  Ladyship's  chapel,  and  united  with  her 
ministers  in  their  work  of  faith.  His  delicate  bealtli  pre- 
vented him  labouring  with  as  much,  energy  as  he  wished; 
yet  he  braved  the  reproach  wMch  they  suffered,  accom- 
panied them  on  their  preaching  excursions,  and  gloried  in 
the  brand  of  Methodist,  which  his  clerical  brethren  stam- 
ped upon  him.  His  Bishop,  the  intolerant  Warburton, 
threatened  him  with  the  terrors  of  the  spiritual  court,  if 
he  continued  his  practices ;  and  sarcastically  wrote  to 
him,  "I  shall  insist  upon  your  constant  residence  in  your 
parish,  not  so  much  for  the  good  you  are  likely  to  do 
there,  as  to  prevent  the  mischief  you  may  do  by  ram- 
bling about  in  other  places."  The  Bishop  continued  to 
persecute  him,  because  he  was  a  Methodist,  and  had  com- 
mitted the  unpardonable  sin,  in  his  eyes,  of  preaching  for 
Lady  Huntingdon.  At  length  the  Countess  interfered. 
She  wrote  to  his  Lordship,  trusting  that  her  long  and  in- 
timate acquaintance  with  him  would  induce  him  to  relax 
his  severity  tOAvards  Dr.  Andrews  for  her  sake.  She  had 
little  hope  of  success,  as  she  knew  the  bitter  enmity  he 
cherished  towards  the  Methodists,  and  his  opposition  to 
herself,  whom,  she  says,  "  he  sometimes  treated  most  un- 
courteously ;  "  and  she  was  prepared  for  his  laconic  reply. 
''Mr.  Andrews  is  under  my  jurisdiction,  and  I  am  re- 
solved to  keep  him  and  his  fanatic  conduct  within  his 
own  parish ! " 

Another  zealous  minister  of  the  Gospel  assisted  her 
Ladyship  at  this  time  in  her  labours  at  Bath.  The  Eev. 
Samuel  Furley  had  been  connected  with  the  Methodists 
from  an  early  period ;  and  after  his  ordination,  had  oc- 
casionally preached  for  Mr.  Romaine.  During  his  resi- 
dence at  Kippax,  he  became  acquainted  with  Lady  Hun 


D  K  .     A  X  D  K  E  W  S .  245' 

tingclon  throiigli  her  uiece  Mrs.  Meclhurst,  and  afterwards 
often  corresponded  with  her  Ladyship.  She  introduced 
him  to  John  Thornton,  Esq.,  who  generously  presented 
him  with  the  living  of  Eoche,  in  Cornwall,  to  show  his 
esteem  for  the  Countess,  and  his  high  opinion  of  the  tal- 
ents of  Mr.  Furley.  He  seldom  left  his  parish,  except 
when  his  health  required  it ;  and  then  he  generally  re- 
paired to  Bath,  and  officiated  in  the  Countess'  chapel. 
During  his  short  stay  here,  Lady  Huntingdon  frequently 
met  him  at  the  residence  of  Miss  Gideon,  the  correspond- 
ent of  Romaine,  Venn  and  Whitefield,  who  was  at  this 
period  greatly  afflicted.  Her  Ladyship  was  a  most  con- 
stant attendant  on  the  sick  and  the  infirm.  She  watched 
at  the  bed-side  with  maternal  solicitude ;  she  read  the 
most  consoling  passages  of  Scripture,  prayed  for  them 
with  very  great  fervour  and  unction,  and  cheered  their 
desponding  hearts  by  her  lively  and  heavenly  conversa- 
tion. Her  visits  to  Miss  Gideon  were  highly  prized  by 
the  sufferer  and  by  Mr.  Furley ;  and  the  Countess  was 
surprised  at  the  Christian  fortitude  and  patience  with 
which  her  friend  bore  her  severe  pains.  A  complainino- 
word  scarcely  ever  passed  her  lips ;  her  soul  was  ripened 
under  the  chastising  hand  of  God ;  and  her  faith  and  love 
strengthened  in  the  fire  of  affliction. 

Among  the  personal  friends  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  who 
v^^ere  at  this  period  in  Bath,  was  the  illustrious  Lady, 
Avho,  from  this  time,  became  intimately  associated  with 
the  Countess  in  her  labours,  and  after  Lady  Huntingdon's 
death,  regulated  the  affairs  of  the  Connexion.  Lady  Ann 
Erskine  was  the  daughter  of  tlie  Earl  of  Buchan,  and  the 
eldest  of  a  numerous  family,  which  has  furnished  some 
of  the  brightest  ornaments  of  the  English  and  Scottish 
Bar.  Her  early  days  were  spent  in  Scotland,  where, 
when  about  seven  years  old,  she  was  deeply  affected  with 
love  to  Jesus,  and  often  prayed  to  him  privately.  As 
she  grew  up,  her  early  impressions  wore  off;  and  for 

21* 


246  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

some  years  she  livedo  like  too  many  of  her  rank  and  sex, 
in  fashionable  follies,  and  in  the  company  of  those  who 
were  strangers  to  themselves,  never  thought  of  the  Lord, 
and  whose  love  of  pleasure  created  a  disinclination  for 
the  consideration  of  solemn  and  important  matters.  The 
Earl  of  Buchan  removed  to  Bath,  where  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  Lady  Huntingdon,  whose  lioly  conversa- 
tion greatly  contributed  to  revive  and  deepen  the  early 
convictions  Lady  Ann  had  experienced.  A  warm  friend- 
ship^ also,  with  the  pious  members  of  the  Hawkestone 
family,  greatly  assisted  her  faith,  and  led  her  to  make 
an  open  profession  of  evangelical  religion.  Her  growing- 
intimacy  with  the  Countess  developed  the  powers  of  her 
mind  and  the  affections  of  her  heart ;  and  the  congeniality 
of  their  views,  spirit,  and  aspirations,  induced  Lady 
Huntingdon  to  invite  Lady  Ann  to  remain  with  her,  as 
her  friend  and  companion.  She  was  then  in  her  twenty- 
eighth  year ;  and  with  the  consent  of  her  father,  she  ac- 
cepted the  invitation. 

Early  in  the  month  of  May,  the  Countess,  Lady  Ann 
Erskine,  Miss  Orton,  and  Howell  Harris,  who  had  been 
staying  a  short  time  with  her  Ladyship,  left  Bath  in  the 
company  of  "Whitefield,  on  a  preaching  excursion- towards 
Yorkshire  and  Scotland.  Gloucestershire  was  the  scene 
of  their  first  labours ;  and  Whitefield  says : — ■ 

^'We  have  had  good  seasons  at  Kodborough;  I  Avas 
regaled  wdth  the  company  of  some  simple  hearted,  first- 
rate  old  Methodists,  of  nearly  thirty  years  standing. 
God  willing,  I  am  to  preach  to-morrow  morning,  and  to 
have  a  general  sacrament  on  Friday  evening.  I  have 
been  out  twice  in  the  fields.  On  Sunday  I  hope  to  take 
to  Rodborough  wood  again.  Good  Lady  Huntingdon, 
kc,  were  wonderfully  delighted.  She  and  her  company 
Liy  at  Eodborough  House.  They  honoured  dear  Mr. 
Adams  with  their  presence ;  he  is  but  poorly  and  wants 
a  nurse ;  perhaps  before  next  Sunday  he  may  be  married 


RODBO  ROUGH.  247 

to  a  simple-liearted,  plain,  good  creature  that  hath  waited 
vipon  him  and  the  preachers  near  twenty  years.  She 
hath  no  fortune^  but  is  one  who,  I  think,  will  take  care 
of  and  be  obedient  to  him,  for  Christ's  sake." 

From  Kodborough  they  proceeded  to  Gloucester, 
Whitefield's  birth-place,  where,  he  says,  ^'we  had  a  most 
blessed  season.  Thousands  and  thousands,  I  trust,  heard, 
saw,  and  felt."  He  here  parted  from  Lady  Huntingdon 
to  visit  Wales,  before  he  returned  to  London ;  and  the 
Countess  and  her  party  journeyed  to  Hawkestone  to  visit 
Sir  Eowland  Hill,  and  thence  proceed  to  Trevecca,  where 
they  were  joined  by  Mr.  Fletcher,  who  conducted  them 
to  Madeley,  on  their  way  into  Derbyshire.  In  a  letter 
to  "Whitefield,  dated  May  18th,  Mr.  Fletcher  says:— 

"I  should  be  glad  to  go  and  be  your  curate  some  time 
this  year ;  but  I  see  no  opening,  nor  the  least  prospect  of 
any.  What  between  the  dead  and  the  living,  a  parish 
ties  one  down  more  than  a  wife.  If  I  could  go  any- 
where this  year,  it  should  be  to  Yorkshire,  to  accompany 
Lady  Huntingdon,  according  to  a  design  that  I  had  half 
formed  last  year;  but  I  fear  that  I  shall  be  debarred  even 
from  this.  I  set  out,  God  willing,  to-morrow  morning 
for  Trevecca,  to  meet  her  Ladyship  there,  and  to  show 
her  the  way  to  Madeley,  where  she  purposes  to  stay 
three  or  four  days,  on  her  way  to  Derbyshire.  What 
chaplain  she  will  have  there,  I  know  not;  God  will 
provide.  *  *  * 

Last  Sunday  seven-night.  Captain  Scott  preached  to  my 
congregation  in  a  sermon  which  was  more  blessed,  though 
preached  only  upon  my  horse-block,  than  a  hundred  of 
those  I  preach  in  the  pulpit.  I  invited  him  to  come  and 
treat  her  Ladyship  next  Sunday  with  another,  now  the 
place  is  consecrated.  If  you  should  ever  favour  Shrop- 
shire with  your  presence,  you  shall  have  the  cajDtain's, 
or  the  parson's  pulpit  at  your  option.  Many  ask  me 
Avhether  you  will  not  come  to  have  some  fruit  here  also; 


248  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

what  must  I  answer  tliein  ?  I,  and  many  more,  complain 
of  stagnation  in  tlie  work ;  Avhat  must  we  do  ?  every- 
thing buds  and  blossoms  around  us,  yet  our  winter  is  not 
over." 

Lady  Huntingdon  remained  a  few  days  at  Madeley, 
and  enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  Captain  Scott's  company, 
who,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Fletcher,  preached  to  attentive 
congregations  on  the  Sabbath-day  from  the  horse-block, 
and  on  the  following  day  to  a  very  large  assembly  of 
people,  who  were  attracted  by  curiosity  to  see  the  Coun- 
tess and  the  preaching  of&cer.  From  Madeley  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Bretby  Hall,  where  they  awaited  the  arrival  of 
Messrs.  Yenn  and  Townsend.  Mr.  Yenn  had  written  to 
her  Ladyship,  before  she  set  out, — as  she  had  arranged 
the  plan  of  the  journey  with  great  precision — and 
says : — 

'^Your  coming  into  Yorkshire,  attended  by  two  such 
faithful  labourers,  will,  I  doubt  not,  be  blessed  exceed- 
ingly to  the  souls  of  the  people,  as  your  parlour-preach- 
ing will  be  to  our  own  souls.  If  I  can,  I  shall  do  myself 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  you  at  Bretby;  if  not  on  the 
ninth  of  next  month,  we  shall  receive  you  and  your 
blessed  company  with  that  exalted  joy  which  the  Holy 
Ghost  inspires.  I  must  take  the  liberty  of  begging, 
your  Ladyship  will  present  our  most  respectful  compli- 
ments to  Lady  Ann  and  Miss  Orton,  and  express  our 
sense  of  the  favour  they  will  confer  on  us  by  coming  to 
my  vicarage.  We  were  in  hopes  you  could  have  con- 
trived to  have  spent  a  Sabbath  with  us,  rather  than  at 
Kippax.  Three  thousand  hearers  would  be  present  to 
receive  the  word  of  life  here,  whereas  at  the  village  there 
would  be  very  few.  Love  to  my  flock,  and  desire  for 
their  good,  prompt  me  to  mention  this.  To  make  one  of 
your  tour  to  Scotland  would  delight  me  much  indeed ; 
but  my  complaint  in  iTiy  breast  is  returned,  and  I  am  not 
able  to  lift  up  my  voice." 


HUDDEESFIELD.  249 

Her  cliapel  at  Bretby  was  at  tins  time  supplied  by 
Messrs.  Jesse  and  Maxfield ;  and  on  tlie  arrival  of  the  two 
expected  clergymen,  the  five  ministers,  now  surrounding 
the  Countess,  preached  twice  a  day,  and  created  great  ex- 
citement in  the  neighbourhood.  Their  labours  were 
greatly  blessed  in  the  conversion  of  souls. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  Lady  Huntiugdon,  attended  by 
Messrs.  Yenn,  Townsend,  and  Fletcher,  arrived  at  Hud- 
dersfield,  and  was  hospitably  entertained  by  Mrs.  Venn 
at  the  vicarage.  At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  vicar, 
she  remained  there  the  following  Sabbath,  when  Mr. 
Fletcher  preached  twice  to  very  large  and  deeply  atten- 
tive congregations,  and  scattered  the  seed  of  divine  truth. 
The  Countess  proceeded  thence  to  Aberford,  and  spent 
some  time  with  her  relative.  Lady  Margaret  Ingham. 
From  this  place,  the  party  made  many  excursions  into 
the  neighbouring  towns  and  villages,  that  the  benighted 
people  might  be  visited  with  the  light  of  the  gospel. 
Once  she  went,  with  her  ministers,  to  Haworth,  the  scene 
of  the  labours  of  the  lamented  Grimshaw  ;  where  the  re- 
port that  Messrs.  Fletcher  and  Townsend  would  preach, 
had  collected  a  vast  multitude  of  people.  The  successor 
of  Grimshaw,  however,  was  averse  to  open-air-preaching, 
and  refused  the  use  of  '' Whitefield's  pulpit."  Lady 
Huntingdon  remonstrated  with  him,  but  to  no  purpose  ; 
the  people  were  waiting  to  hear  the  word  of  life ;  her 
two  ministers  were  willing  to  preach  ;  and  her  Ladj^ship, 
therefore,  requested  them  to  address  the  crowds  in  the 
open-air,  and  point  them  to  Jesus. 

Not  long  after  the  arrival  of  the  Countess  at  Kippax 
on  a  visit  to  her  niece,  Mrs.  Medhurst,  she  became  so 
alarmingly  indisposed  as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of 
journeying  into  Scotland,  as  she  had  arranged.  She, 
therefore,  sent  Mr.  Townsend  forward  to  Edinburgh, 
where  he  was  received  with  the  greatest  cordiality  by 
Lady   Glenorchy,  and   by    many  of  the   ministers,  and 


250         ME  MO  IK     OF     LADY     HUNTING  I)  ON. 

]3reached  with  astonislnng  success  in  that  city  and  other 
places.  Her  indisposition  prevented  her  personally 
carrying  out  the  plans  she  had  formed  for  the  general 
diffusion  of  divine  truth  in  Yorkshire ;  though  it  did  not 
damp  the  ardour  of  her  zeal,  nor  diminish  her  anxiety 
to  bring  the  gospel  to  the  poor.  She  gathered  around 
her  such  evangelical  ministers  as  Madan,  Venn,  Fletcher, 
Conyers,  John  Kyland,  curate  of  Huddersfield,  and  sent 
them  out  in  different  directions  to  blow  the  gospel 
trumpet.  Some  laboured  in  the  surrounding  villages  and 
hamlets ;  some  visited  the  distant  parts  of  the  county  ; 
and  some  extended  their  labours  into  the  neighbouring 
counties.  Whitefield  was  informed  of  the  triumphiint 
success  which  attended  their  efforts  ;  and  early  in  Septem- 
ber, he  hastened  into  Yorkshire,  to  enter  upon  ^'thc 
blessed  Methodist  field-street-preaching  plan  before  him  ;  " 
visited  Leeds,  Newcastle,  Sunderland,  and  Hartlepool, 
where  he  preached  before  the  house  of  Eomaine's  mother  ; 
and  spent  one  month  in  very  active  exertions  to  bring 
souls  to  Christ. 

Lady  Huntingdon  Avas  greatly  cheered  in  her  affliction 
by  the  kind  and  congenial  friends  who  surrounded  her. 
Her  love  for  others  attracted  towards  her  the  warmest 
gratitude  of  their  hearts ;  and  they  strove  how  they  could 
best  increase  the  joy,  and  restore  the  health  of  their  in- 
valuable leader.  Mr.  Fletcher  was  obliged  to  return  to 
Madeley ;  but  he  wrote  a  long  consolatory  letter  to  her 
Ladyship,  which  breathed  towards  her  the  sympathies 
of  a  warm  and  heavenly  affection.  ''I  have  often  heard," 
he  says,  '^  your  Ladyship  speaking  admirably  upon  know- 
ing Christ,  and  the  power  of  his  resurrection,  together 
with  the  fellowship  of  Ids  sufferings.  The  Lord  will  have 
you  improve  in  that  heavenly  knowledge,  therefore  he 
gives  you  so  long  a  lesson  at  this  time.  The  lesson  is 
hard,  I  grant,  but  the  Master  is  so  loving,  the  science  so 
noble,  and  the  scholar  so  used  to  severe  exercises,  that  it 


CONSOLATIOIs'S     OF     FRIENDS.  251 

is  no  wonder  jou  are  placed  in  tliis  highest  form.     'No 
cross,  no  crown  !     The  heavier  the  cross  the  brighter  the 
crown.     I  often  wish  I  could  bear  your  Ladyship's  bur- 
den, but  check  this  impotent  wish,  by  rejoicing  that  One, 
who  feels  not  only  touches  of  sympathy,  but  love  ever- 
lasting and  almighty  as  himself,  bears  it  for  you,  and 
bears  you  with  it.     On  the  bosom  of  this  dear  heavenly 
Physician  I  desire  to  place  you.     There  I  want  you  to 
enjoy  all  the  birth-sweets  of  sickness,  and  when  patience 
hath  had  its  perfect  work  there,  I  beg  you  may  live  and 
love  till  I  have  received  my  dismission;  and  when  yours 
is  sealed,  may  I  be  allowed  to  come  and  meet  your  de- 
parting soul  among  those,  whom  you  have  made  your 
friends  with  the  mammon  of  unrighteousness,  and  with 
the  blessings  of  Gospel  righteousness,  and  who  will  long 
to  welcome  you  to  everlasting  habitations." 

The  kind  attentions  of  her  friends^  and  the  blessing 
of  God,  caused  the  indisposition  of  the  Countess  to  pass 
away  ;  and  she  was  enabled  to  proceed  to  Leeds  with  her 
oldest  chaplain,  George  "Whitefield.     She  was,  soon  after 
her  arrival,  joined  by  Captain  Scott,  who  was  now  at  the 
height  of  his  popularity.     The  crowds  he  collected  were 
vast  beyond  conception ;  and  the  people  listened  to  his 
simple  yet  thrilling  addresses  with  the  utmost  attention 
and   gladness.     Here   her  Ladyship   became  acquainted 
'with  Mrs.  Deane,  a  lady  of  great  talent  and  literary  ac- 
complishments, and  a  near  relative  of  Lord  Irvine,   of 
Temple  Newson,  near  Leeds.     She  was  then  just  emerging 
out  of  spiritual  darkness  into  the  light  of  the  gospel,  and 
was  invited  by  the  Countess  to  meet  her  ministers  at  her 
temporary  residence.     The  conversations  of  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon opened  to  her  vigorous  mind  the  great  truths  of 
Christianity ;  her  influence  attracted  and  won  the  homage 
of  her  heart ;  and  her  example  formed  the  model  which 
she  placed  before  her,  as  worthy  of  her  imitation.     Mrs. 
Deane  lou^-ed  to  bring  her  noble  relatives  to  share  with 


252  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON". 

her  tlie  sweets  of  piety ;  she  prayed  for  them  with  fervency 
of  spirit,  introduced  them  to  the  Countess,  and  prevailed 
upon  them  to  attend  the  preaching  of  the  gospeL  When 
she  had  once  heard  a  sermon  which  she  thought  would 
have  deeply  impressed  their  minds,  she  manifested  her 
anxiety  for  their  welfare,  by  audibly  expressing  the  wish 
that  Lady  Irvine  had  been  present.  The  efforts  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  greatly  aided  her  own ;  and  in  a  letter  to 
her  Ladyship,  Mrs.  Deane  informs  her  that  the  impressions 
made  on  the  mind  of  Lady  Irvine,  by  her  last  conversa- 
tion with  her,  have  remained,  and  that  Lady  Irvine 
acknowledges  her  deep  obligation  to  the  Countess  for  the 
light  and  comfort  she  was  permitted  to  enjoy. 

Considerable  attention  was  about  this  period  drawn  to 
the  labours  of  the  Kev.  Samson  Occum,  an  Indian  preacher, 
who,  with  the  Eev.  Mr.  Whitaker,  minister  of  ISTorwich, 
New  England,  had  arrived  in  the  summer  of  1766,  to 
obtain  contributions  towards  supporting  an  Indian  charity 
school,  established  by  the  founder  and  president  of  Dart- 
mouth College.  Occum  was  the  first  Indian  preacher 
who  had  visited  England  ;  and  having  brought  letters  of 
introduction  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  he  was  well  received 
among  the  religious  circles.  He  officiated  for  Whitefield 
several  times  to  large  and  attentive  audiences  ;  and  during 
his  stay  in  England,  he  preached  in  various  parts  of  the 
country,  and  collected  large  sums  of  money,  which  were 
vested  in  trustees,  of  whom  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth  was 
the  principle.  While  he  was  in  England,  Lady  Hunting- 
don showed  many  proofs  of  her  interest  in  his  mission. 
She  frequently  entertained  him  at  her  residence,  introduced 
him  to  many  of  the  pious  nobility  in  England  and  Scot- 
land, and  generously  contributed  to  the  object  of  his  visit- 
The  accounts  he  gave  of  the  state  of  the  Mohegan  In- 
dians, his  own  tribe,  awakened  a  lively  interest  in  her 
heart.  She  became  very  anxious  for  their  spiritual  wel- 
fare ;  her  benevolent  heart  yearned  for  their  salvation ; 


AN"     INDIAN"     PREACHER.  253 

her  mind  pictured  the  happy  time  when  all  the  tribes 
would  cast  away  their  superstitions,  and  receive  the  gos- 
pel of  Jesus  Christ.  Occum  had  been  made  very  useful 
to  many  of  his  tribe  in  persuading  them  to  renounce 
their  idols  and  worship  the  Lord ;  and  the  Countess 
stretched  towards  them  the  sympathies  of  her  heart,  and 
longed  to  cultivate  the  heathen  vineyard  for  the  Lord. 
At  |:)resent  there  Avere  many  obstacles  in  the  way  ;  but 
full  of  faith,  she  says,  ''I  hope  yet  to  have  it  in  my 
power,  if  the  Lord  should  see  fit  to  continue  me  in  his 
service,  to  extend  some  aid  to  this  interesting  people." 

Lady  Huntingdon  left  Yorkshire  with  Whitefield,  and 
arrived  in  London  early  in  October.     Her  stay  was  limited 
to  a  few  days,  when  she  proceeded  to  Bath  for  the  winter. 
Soon  after  her  arrival,  she  received  the  melancholy  intel- 
ligence of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Yenn.     She  had  been  for  some 
months  in  a  declining  state  of  health  ;  and  when  the  Coun- 
tess was  at  Huddersfield,  she  perceived  strong  symptoms 
of  a  rapid  decline.     Her  spirits  generally  had  been  re- 
markably lively  and  buoyant,  but  now  they  became  very 
low  and  desponding  ;  and  the  thought  of  being  removed 
from  her  beloved  husband  and  her  children  almost  over- 
whelmed her.     She  suffered  much  pain,  and  often  desired 
Mr.  Yenn  and  his  curate,  Mr.  Ryland,  to  pray  for  some 
mitigation  of  it.     God  heard  the  prayers   offered  on  her 
behalf;  her  agonies  passed  away  ;  and  a  short  time  before 
she  died,  she  appeared  to  be  sleeping  peacefully,  then 
drew  in  her  breath  twice  in  heavy  inspirations,  and  de- 
parted to  the  presence  of  her  Saviour.     Between  Lady 
Huntingdon  and  this  pious  and  accomplished  lady,  there 
had  existed  a  warm  friendship,  which  had  commenced 
with  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Yenn,  and  every  year  had  grown 
stronger  and  more  affectionate.     Shortly  after  the  distress- 
ing event,  her  Ladyship  w^rote  to  the  bereaved  husband, 
and  invited  him  to  spend  the  winter  with  her  at  Bath. 
Her  nieces,  Mrs.  Medhurst  and  Miss  Wheeler,  also  invited 

22 


25-i        MEMOIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

him  and  liis  cliildren  to  Kippax,  tliat  his  mind  might  be 
relieved  from  the  great  grief  which  pressed  heavily  upon 
him.  He  wrote  to  Lady  Huntingdon  from  Huddersfield, 
dated,  October  the  15th,  1767,  and  says: — 

"  The  only  return  I  can  make  your  Ladyship,  for  the 
very  tender  sympathy  you  show  for  me  in  my  present 
trial,  is  prayer  to  Him  who  has  already  made  so  much 
use  of  you  as  an  instrument,  that  he  would  do  so  more 
and  more.  Six  places  I  have  been  most  cordially  invited 
to  ;  but  I  know  my  soul  would  receive  a  blessing  under 
your  roof,  as  it  has  done  again  and  again.  I  am  now  a 
living  witness  of  the  truth  you  so  strenuously  maintain, 
and  of  the  necessity  of  that  truth  in  our  miserable  condi- 
tion here  below.  Did  I  not  know  the  Lord  to  be  mine  ; 
were  I  not  certain  his  heart  feels  even  more  love  for  me 
than  I  am  able  to  conceive ;  were  not  this  evident  to  me, 
not  by  deduction  and  argument,  but  by  consciousness,  by 
his  own  light  shining  in  my  soul,  as  the  sun's  doth  upon 
my  bodily  eyes  ;  into  what  a  deplorable  situation  should 
I  have  been  now  cast !  I  have  lost  all  that  I  could  wish 
myself  to  have  been,  in  the  partner  of  my  cares  and  joys; 
and  lost  her  when  her  industry  and  ingenuity,  and  tender 
love  and  care  of  her  children,  were  all  just  beginning  to 
be  perceived  by  the  two  eldest  girls,  and  to  strike  them 
with  a  sense  of  the  excellency  of  such  qualities.  I  have 
lost  her,  when  her  own  soul  was  as  a  watered  garden, 
when  her  mouth  was  opened  to  speak  for  God,  and  he  was 
blessing  the  testimony  she  bore  to  a  free,  full,  and  ever- 
lasting pardon  in  the  blood  of  Jesus.  Nevertheless,  I  can 
say,  all  is  well!  Hallelujah  !  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth,  -^  **->«•  ^  * 

''  I  have  been  enabled  to  remember  your  Ladyship  in 
your  sickness,  and  cannot  but  hope  you  will  yet  be  spared, 
and  many  more  seals  be  added  to  your  labours  of  love 
before  you  rest  above.  I  shall  be  much  obliged  for  a 
letter,  when  health  and  leisure  will  permit ;  and  returning 


EEV.     ROWLAND     HILL.  255 

3^()U  my  most  heart-felt  thanks  for  your  prayers,  your 
example,  your  invitation,  and  a  thousand  instances  of 
kindness  to  such  a  sinful  man,  I  remain  your  servant  in 
the  bonds  of  Jesus. 


Towards  the  end  of  October  Lady  Huntingdon  received 
a  visit  from  the  famous  Rev.  Rowland  Hill,  then  a  young- 
man  in  his  twenty-third  year,  returning  to  the  university 
of  Cambridge.  She  was  on  terms  of  friendship  with  the 
family  at  Hawkestone,  and  had  for  some  time  manifested 
great  interest  in  the  piety  and  zeal  of  some  of  its  mem- 
bers, especially  Tvliss  Hill  and  her  brother  Richard.  The 
report  of  the  earnest  piety  of  young  Rowland  soon 
reached  the  ears  of  the  Countess.  Though  he  was  a 
student  of  St.  John's  College,  he  had  preached  in  many 
places  with  much  acceptance  and  success :  he  formed  a 
small  society  among  his  fellow  students,  and  others,  of 
which  he  was  appointed  leader;  and  he  stimulated  them 
to  preach  Christ  wherever  they  had  an  opportunity.  His 
conduct  was  speedily  assailed  on  all  sides.  His  parents 
were  decidedly  opposed  to  his  proceedings,  and  the  heads 
of  his  college  condemned  them  in  the  strongest  terms. 
Threats  were  held  out  to  intimidate  him ;  the  refusal  of 
his  degree,  testimonials,  and  even  money  for  his  support, 
could  not  shake  his  determination ;  and  the  prospect  of 
his  expulsion  from  the  university  only  stimulated  his  ac- 
tivity to  serve  his  Master.  He  sought  the  advice  of 
Messrs.  Berridge  and  Whitefield,  who  encouraged  him  to 
persevere  in  his  efforts.  Lad}^  Huntingdon  manifested  a 
warm  interest  in  his  career,  and  wrote  to  his  parents  an 
intercessory  letter  on  his  behalf  Through  the  instru- 
mentality of  Whitefield,  it  was '  arranged  that  young 
Rowland  should  pay  a  visit  to  her  Ladyship  at  Bath. 
He  left  Hawkestone  October  21st,  and  immediatel}^  pro- 
ceeded to  meet  Lady  Huntingdon.  On  his  arrival  in  the 
city,  he  was  received  by  her  Ladyship,  as  she  expresses 


256  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

it,  ''with  open  arms;"  and  preached  in  her  chapel  and 
expounded  at  her  home  "  with  mnch  comfort.  "  He  also 
preached  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Layton,  a  lady  who 
was  very  conspicuous  in  the  religious  circles  at  Bath, 
and  the  friend  and  correspondent  of  Berridge  and  other 
celebrated  ministers.  Here  a  great  number  of  persons 
of  distinction  assembled ;  and  the  youthful  preacher 
says,  he  was  "  rather  dashed  at  the  audiences, "  and  adds, 
''I  do  not  love  to  speak  to  fine  people."  He,  however, 
enjoyed  his  visit  much,  and  felt  honoured  by  the  marked 
attentions  of  the  Countess.  Her  kindness  to  him  in  a 
season  of  distress,  when  he  was  under  the  frowns  of  his 
family,  proved  the  sincerity  of  her  friendship  towards 
him.     She  says : — 

'^  He  was  as  my  own  son,  received  into  my  house,  and 
23reached  in  my  pulpits.  I  have  again  written  to  Lady 
Hill  in  his  behalf,  my  former  application  to  Sir  Eowland 
having  met  with  no  redress.  But  they  obstinately  refuse 
to  answer  any  letter  I  write  to  entreat  for  him.  There  is 
no  hope  then  from  that  quarter.  But  blessed  be  God,  we 
have  a  strong-hold,  a  never  failing  source  of  comfort  and 
support  to  look  to  under  every  trial  *  *  ^  He  has 
preached  frequently,  and  great  crowds  attended  at  the 
chapel  and  at  my  house.  His  word  fell  with  great  power 
and  some  were  pierced  to  the  heart.  Dear  Mr.  Brown 
was  much  delighted,  and  poured  forth  fervent  prayers  on 
his  behalf,  at  our  parting  prayer-meeting,  before  he  set 
off  for  Cambridge. " 

Mr.  Brown  was  the  vicar  of  a  large  parish  near  Taun- 
ton, and  was  then  associated  with  Mr.  Furley  in  suj)ply- 
ing  her  Ladyship's  chapel.  He  became  a  warm  friend  to 
Mr.  Hill,  and  as  vicar  of  Kingston,  furnished  him  with 
his  titles  to  orders.  Lady  Huntingdon  says  of  him, 
"He  is  in  many  respects  an  extraordinary  man.  His 
classical  knowledge,  I  am  told,  exceeds  that  of  most  men 
of  his   age  and  standing.     His  information   is  extensive, 


MR.     BROWN.  257 

accurate  and  correct ;  liis  knowledge  diversified  and 
profound.  But  what  I  admire  most  is  liis  zeal  and 
devotedness  of  heart  to  God.  His  preaching  is  much 
admired,  and  is  owned  by  the  great  Master  of  assem- 
blies." 

The  health  of  Lady  Huntingdon  continued  in  a  very 
precarious  state  and  it  must  excite  some  surprise  that  she 
was  able  to  accomplish  so  much,  considering  her  frequent 
indisposition.  During  the  month  of  October,  she  had 
been  ailing,  and  aroused  the  fears  of  her  friends;  but 
towards  its  close,  she  was  so  far  recovered  that  Eomaine 
informed  Mrs.  Medhurst  that  ''Lady  Huntingdon  was 
pure  and  well."  The  amendment,  however,  was  of  short 
duration;  for  early  in  November,  she  was  attacked  with 
an  alarming  illness,  which  lingered  for  many  weeks,  and 
totally  incapaciated  her  for  writing,  or  any  active  em- 
ployment. The  most  serious  apprehensions  were  enter- 
tained for  her  safety ;  prayers  were  daily  offered  for  her 
at  her  chapel;  thousands  in  all  parts  of  the  country  sup- 
plicated the  blessing  of  heaven  to  rest  upon  her ;  and  a 
general  gloom  was  spread  over  the  fashionable  circles  at 
Bath,  by  the  anticipation  of  her  death.  All  were  deeply 
impressed  with  the  great  loss  the  cause  of  vital  religion 
would  suffer,  if  she  were  removed.  Mr.  Venn  wrote  to 
her,  ''In  your  illness  I  could  not  but  be  concerned  for  the 
ark,  and  mentioned  your  chapels,  and  the  unspeakable 
loss  if  they  were  not  kept  open.  Lord  Dartmouth  said, 
'  Should  Lady  Huntingdon  leave  them  to  me,  I  should 
think  myself  hound  in  conscience  exactly  to  comply  with  lier 
u-ilV  I  said  nothing  more  upon  that  head,  but  thought 
it  proper  to  acquaint  you."  Her  Ladyship  was  anxiously 
concerned  for  the  fate  of  her  chapels,  and  appears,  from 
a  letter,  to  have  taken  some  steps  to  put  them  into  Lord 
Dartmouth's  hands  in  the  event  of  her  decease.  His 
Lordship  had  been  long  intimate  with  her,  and  had  at- 
tended  her   drawing-room   services,    where   he   became 

22  = 


258  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

acquainted  ^7itlI  several  of  tlie  ministers  who  officiated 
at  her  residence.  The  Countess  had  a  high  regard  for 
his  character,  and  had  won  his  veneration  and  esteem  by 
the  services  she  had  rendered  to  him,  in  conciliating  his 
friends,  when  they  were  bitterly  persecuting  him  for  his 
religion.  He  was  a  man  of  the  greatest  integrity,  and 
had  gained  the  esteem  of  the  King,  and  of  the  highest 
personages  in  the  realm.  Dr.  Talbot,  then  vicar  of  St. 
Giles,  Reading,  had  for  some  years  itinerated  for  Lady 
Iluntingdon,  preached  in  her  various  chapels,  and  asso- 
ciated with  her  ministers.  Her  Ladyship  had  a  high 
opinion  of  his  talents  and  integrity;  and  intrusted  to  him 
the   difficult  task  of   consultino;  with  Lord  Dartmouth. 

o 

He  thus  communicated  to  her  the  result  of  his  inter- 
view : — 

''  I  have  had  a  long  conference  with  my  Lord  Dart- 
mouth, who  is  ready  and  willing  to  do  anything  your 
Ladyship  may  direct.  He  feels  his  inability  for  a  work 
so  great,  but  humbly  hopes  the  Lord  will  strengthen  his 
hand,  if  you  should  think  proper  to  repose  the  trust  in 
him.  He  is  delicate  of  writing,  lest  he  should  appear 
to  dictate.  Messrs.  Madan,  Stillingfleet,  Romaine,  and 
Downing,  are  of  opinion  that  his  Lordship  is  the  fittest 
person  for  this  great  cause.  How  have  we  wrestled  with 
God  on  your  behalf!  prayer-meetings  have  been  fre- 
quently held  at  his  Lordship's  house,  and  the  most 
importunate  supplications  have  been  poured  forth  before 
the  throne  of  the  great  Shepherd  and  Head  of  his  Church 
and  people  to  spare  his  heritage  in  this  ungodly  land, 
and  raise  your  Ladyship  up  again  to  be  a  nursing-mother 
to  the  Church  of  Christ.  'Spare  thy  people,  0,  God! 
and  spare  thy  servant,  we  beseech  thee ! '  has  been  the 
perpetual  cry  of  our  hearts  in  this  season  of  suspense 
and  deepest  anguish  ;  and  I  trust  our  prayers  will  be 
heard  for  his  great  name's  sake.     To  him  we   commit 


DEATH     OF     EARL     BUCHAN.  250 

your  Ladyship,  and  liis  cause  and  interest  iii  tlie  land, 
with  which  you  are  so  identified." 

To  the  unspeakable  joy  of  her  numerous  friends,  Lady 
Huntingdon's  disorder  began  rapidly  to  abate ;  and  she 
was  at  length  pronounced  by  her  physicians  out  of  dan- 
ger. For  some  weeks,  however,  she  remained  exceed- 
ingly weak,  and  depressed  in  spirits.  Whitefield  visited 
her  early  in  December,  and  wrote  to  Mr.  Shirley  in 
Ireland  on  the  8th,  ''The  news  (that  you  intend  to  visit 
England  next  spring)  rejoiced  me  before  I  left  town,  and 
was  most  grateful  to  our  good  Lady  Huntingdon,  whom 
I  have  the  honour  of  waiting  upon  at  this  time  in  Bath. 
She  has  been  sick,  nigh  unto  death,  but  through  mercy 
is  now  somewhat  recovered,  though  as  yet  unable  to  write 
much.  This  her  Ladyship  much  regrets  on  your  account ; 
and,  therefore,  enjoins  me  to  inform  your  whole  self  that 
your  letter  did  not  reach  her  hands,  till  many  weeks 
after  the  proper  time ;  that  ever  since  she  has  been  visi- 
ted with  lingering  sickness,  but  begs  you  will  not  linger 
in  coming  over  to  our  Macedonia  to  help  us.  The 
thought  of  it  seems  to  refresh  her  heaven-born  soul. 
Blessed  be  God,  her  Ladyship  still  takes  the  lead." 

Death  passed  over  Lady  Huntingdon  this  time,  but  at- 
tacked and  carried  off  the  father  of  her  friend  and  com- 
panion, Lady  Ann  Erskine.  Lord  Buchan  had  been  for 
a  considerable  time  in  a  declining  state  of  health,  and 
his  disorder  bafQed  the  skill  of  his  physicians.  The 
circumstances  attending  his  decease  were  highly  consoling 
to  his  aflOlicted  family.  His  long  intimacy  with  pious 
persons  in  Scotland  had  prepared  his  mind  for  the  recep- 
tion of  those  great  and  important  truths,  with  which  he 
became  acquainted  through  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  the 
junior  members  of  the  Hawkestone  family.  He  was  a 
most  regular  attendant  at  her  Ladyship's  chapel,  when- 
ever his  health  permitted,  and  received  much  light  and 
joy  from  the  ministrations  of  the  holy  men  who  officiated 


260  MEMOIR     OF    LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

tliere.  A  few  days  before  liis  cleatL,  the  CouDtess  went 
to  see  him  at  his  particular  request.  The  interview  was 
deeply  affecting.  Her  Ladj^ship  realized  how  near  she 
had  been  brought  to  the  verge  of  the  grave,  and  was 
thus  able  most  thoroughly  to  sympathize  with  his  con- 
dition. As  soon  as  he  could  speak,  he  said,  "  I  have  no 
foundation  of  hope  whatever,  but  in  the  sacrifice  of  the 
Son  of  God ;  I  have  no  where  else  to  look  ;  nothing  else 
to  depend  upon  for  eternal  life  and  salvation  ;  and  my 
confidence  in  Him  is  as  firm  as  a  rock."  In  his  last  mo- 
ments, he  retained  the  same  happy  confidence;  and  wel- 
comed the  approach  of  death  with  a  holy  smile.  His 
heart  was  filled  with  joy  ;  he  seemed  to  realize  a  fore- 
taste of  the  bliss  that  awaited  him.  Like  the  aged 
patriarch,  Jacob  he  gathered  his  children  around  him, 
and  bk^sscd  them:  and  solemnly  added,  ''Yea,  and  they 
sliall  be  blessed."  His  soul  was  filled  with  the  love  of 
Christ.  He  once  said  "Had  I  strength  of  body,  I  would 
not  be  ashamed  before  men  and  angels  to  tell  what  the 
Lord  Jesus  hath  done  for  my  soul.  Come,  Holy  Ghost ! 
Come,  Holy  Ghost!  Happy,  happy,  happy — ."  Thus 
with  the  sounds  of  glory  quivering  on  his  dying  lips,  he 
entered  into  his  rest,  December  1st,  1767,  in  the  fifty- 
eighth  year  of  his  age.  Lady  Huntingdon  says,  "I  have 
witnessed  the  dismissal  of  many  from  the  burden  of  mor- 
tality, but  I  have  seldom  seen  an  end  more  satisfactory, 
more  solidly  happy,  or  more  triumphant.  Thanks,  un- 
ceasing thanks  to  Him  who  hath,  in  his  infinite  goodness, 
blessed  the  preaching  of  the  word  in  the  house  which  he 
Lath  enabled  me  to  build,  to  record  the  glories  of  his 
name,  and  the  wonders  of  his  redemption ;  and  attended 
the  labours  of  his  vile  and  unprofitable  servant  with  the 
benediction  of  his  Spirit !  Not  unto  me,  not  unto  me,  O 
my  God ;  but  unto  Thee,  and  to  thy  free  and  sovereign 
grace,  be  all  the  praise  and  glory ! " 

The  impressive  services,  which   took  place  at  Bath, 


S  O  L  :;  .M  X     SERVICES.  261 

after  the  decease  of  the  Earl,  produced  a  profound  sensa- 
tion in  the  city.  Though  Lady  Huntingdon  was  quite 
an  invalid;  she  honoured  the  remains  of  her  departed 
friend  with  a  series  of  services,  which  cannot  be  better 
related  than  in  AVhitefield's  own  words.     He  says : — 

"  All  hath  been  awful,  and  more  than  awful.  On 
Saturday  evening,  before  the  corpse  was  taken  from 
Buchan  House,  a  word  of  exhortation  was  given,  and  a 
hymn  sung  in  the  room  where  the  corpse  lay.  The 
young  Earl  stood  with  his  hand  on  the  head  of  the  cofl&n ; 
the  Countess  Dowager  on  his  right  hand,  Lady  Ann  and 
Lady  Isabella  on  his  left,  and  their  brother  Thomas  next 
to  their  mother,  with  Miss  Orton,  Miss  Wheeler,  and 
Miss  Goddle  on  one  side ;  all  the  domestics,  with  a  few 
friends,  on  the  other.  The  word  of  exhortation  was  re- 
ceived with  great  solemnity,  and  most  wept  under  the 
parting  prayer.  At  ten  the  corpse  was  removed  to  good 
Lady  Huntingdon's  chapel,  where  it  was  deposited  within 
a  place  railed  in  for  that  purpose,  covered  with  black 
baize,  and  the  usual  funeral  concomitants,  except  escut- 
cheons. On  Sunday  morning,  all  attended  in  mourning 
at  early  sacrament.  They  were  seated  by  themselves  at 
the  foot  of  the  corpse,  and,  with  their  head  servants,  re- 
ceived first,  and  a  particular  address  was  made  to  them. 
Immediately  after  receiving,  the  verses  were  sung  for 
them ; 

*'  Our  lives,  our  blood,  we  liere  present,"  &c. 

"Then  they  received  the  blessing,  and  so  returned  to 
their  places.  Sacrament  ended,  and  a  blessed  sacrament 
it  was,  the  noble  mourners  returned  to  good  Lady  Hun- 
tingdon's house,  which  was  lent  them  for  the  day.  At 
eleven,  public  service  began.  The  bereaved  relations  sat 
m  order  within,  and  the  domestics  around  the  outside  of 
the  rail.  The  chapel  was  more  than  crowded ;  near  three 
hundred  tickets,  signed  by  the  present  Earl,  were  given 


262  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

out  to  the  nobility  and  gentry  to  be  admitted.  All  was 
hushed  and  solemn.  Proper  hymns  were  sung ;  and  I 
preached  on  these  words,  '  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven, 
saying  unto  me,  Write,  blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in 
the  Lord.'  Attention  sat  on  every  face,  and  deep  and 
almost  universal  impressions  were  made.  The  like  scene, 
and  if  possible  more  solemn,  was  exhibited  in  the  eve- 
ning ;  and  I  was  enabled  to  preach  a  second  time,  and  a 
like  power  attended  the  word  as  in  the  morning.  Ever 
since  there  hath  been  public  service,  and  preaching  twice 
a  day.  This  is  to  be  continued  till  Friday  morning; 
then  all  is  to  be  removed  to  Bristol,  in  order  to  be  ship- 
ped for  Scotland.  For  five  days  together  we  have  been 
attending  the  house  of  mourning.  Many,  I  trust,  are 
obliged  to  say,  '  How  dreadful  is  this  place  ! '  Such  a 
scene  I  never  expect  to  see  opened  again  on  this  side 
eternity.  Congregations  were  very  large,  attentive,  and 
deeply  impressed.  Surely  the  death  of  this  noble  Earl, 
thus  improved,  will  prove  the  life  of  many.  He  had 
great  foretastes  of  heaven  ;  he  cried  '  Come  Holy  Ghost ! ' 
He  came,  and  filled  him  with  joy  unspeakable.  '  Happy, 
happy  '  were  his  last  dying  words.  All  surviving  rela- 
tions still  feel  the  influence  ;  they  sit  round  the  corpse, 
attended  by  their  domestics  and  supporters,  twice  a  day. 
Two  sermons  every  day  ;  life  and  power  attend  the  word  ; 
and  I  veril}^  believe  many  dead  souls  have  been  made  to 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God." 


TREVECCA     COLLEGE.  2G3 


CHAPTER  XV.      A.D.     1767—1768. 

LADY  HUKTINGDON's  COLLEGE  AT  TREVECCA. — PLAN"  OF 
ADMISSIOISr. — LETTERS  OF  FLETCHER  RESPECTING  IT. — 
THE  COUKTESS  AT  BATH. — HER  TRIALS. — JOHN  BER- 
RIDGE. — DISPUTES  RESPECTING  THE  LIVING  OF  ALDWIN- 
CLE. — MR.  KIMPTON. — MR.  MADAN. — DR.  HAWEIS. — LADY 
HUNTINGDON  PURCHASES  THE  ADVOWSON. — HER  COR- 
RESPONDENCE.— PIETY  AT  OXFORD. — EXPULSION  OF  SIX 
STUDENTS  OF  ST.  EDMUND's  HALL. — PAMPHLETS,  "  PIE- 
TAS  OXONIENSIS." — THE  COUNTESS  PREPARES  HER 
COLLEGE.  - 

Every  year  Lady  Huntingdon  was  enlarging  the 
sphere  of  her  usefulness,  and  multiplying  her  laborious 
efforts.  Her  enterprising  mind  was  constantly  devising 
new  plans  to  secure  the  glory  of  God,  and  benefit  her 
fellow  creatures.  Her  desires  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
the  nation  were  insatiable;  the  gaol  she  had  reached 
formed  but  the  starting  point  for  a  fresh  prize ;  and  the 
blessings  which  fell  copiously  around  her  only  stimulated 
her  ardent  soul  to  crave  after  a  still  larger  supply.  She 
cast  her  eyes  around,  and  saw  the  fields  ready  for  the 
harvest;  she  daily  received  invitations  from  large  and 
populous  cities  to  bring  the  gospel  into  spots  where 
Satan  reigned;  but,  alas!  her  faithful  labourers  were 
few,  and  their  pressing  engagements  scarcely  permitted 
them  to  supply  the  chapels  she  had  already  erected.  She 
could  not,  however,  settle  down  satisfied  with  what  she 
had  already  achieved;  her  peculiar  situation  stimulated 
the  mighty  powers  of  her  mind  and  heart;  and  she  de- 


264  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     H  U  X  TIN  GD  O  IS^  . 

term i lied  to  strike  out  in  a  "bold  and  untrodden  path,  and 
rear  an  institution  Avbich  should  train  young  men  for 
the  ministry,  and  enable  her  not  only  to  respond  to  the 
many  calls  for  assistance,  bu.t  to  send  preachers  into  all 
parts  of  England — to  convey  the  gospel  to  the  deluded 
Irish — to  strengthen  the  hands  of  Occum  in  his  labours 
among  the  Indians — and  to  proclaim  the  message  of 
mercy  to  many  savage  tribes  of  the  earth. 

The  grand  thought  took  a  deep  hold  upon  her  affec- 
tions;  she  pondered  it  with  great  seriousness  of  mind; 
and  anxiously  looked  out  for  a  locality  wliicb  would  be 
adapted  to  the  purpose.  During  the  year  1767  the  plan 
was  gradually  ripening  in  her  mind,  and  assuming  a 
tangible  form.  The  Countess  remembered  the  lovely 
spot  in  Wales,  where  she  had  spent  many  delightful  days, 
in  the  midst  of  a  warm  and  affectionate  people.  Trevecca 
House,  in  the  parish  of  Talgarth,  South  Wales,  was  a 
fine  old  mansion,  supposed  to  be  part  of  an  ancient  castle, 
built  in  the  reign  of  Henry  II ;  and  could  easily  be  con- 
verted into  a  commodious  college,  where,  under  the 
fostering  influence  of  devoted  tutors,  many  young  men 
might  be  fitted  for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  She, 
therefore,  visited  Trevecca,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertain- 
ing the  eligibility  of  the  premises,  and  made  arrange- 
ments with  Howell  Harris  for  the  purchase  of  the 
House. 

Lady  Huntingdon  deeply  felt  the  importance  of  the 
step  she  was  taking,  and  resolved  to  do  nothing  rashly. 
She  entertained  just  and  liberal  views  of  the  qualifications, 
which  candidates  for  the  sacred  office  should  possess. 
Fervent  and  genuine  piety  was  first  and  indispensable. 
There  could  be  no  fitness  for  tbe  ministry  where  that 
was  wanting.  Splendid  talents,  fine  genius,  commanding 
oratory,  and  wonderful  energy  could  never  compensate 
for  the  absence  of  sympathy  with  the  doctrines  taught, 
love  of  the  virtues  inculcated,  and  holy  compassion  for 


PLAN     OF     ADMISSION.  265 

the  souls  to  be  saved.  She  would,  therefore,  admit  into 
her  College  none  but  those  whose  piety  and  consistent 
conduct  had  been  prominently  displayed.  She,  however, 
knew  too  well  the  arduous  duties  of  the  ministry,  to  sup- 
pose that  real  piety  could  supply  all  its  demands.  There 
must  be  an  adaptation  to  the  work ;  a  power  of  mind  to 
grapple  with  difficulties — a  patient  perseverance  to  inves- 
tio-ate  truth — a  wise  discretion  to  regulate  all  efforts — an 
indomitable  zeal  and  untiring  energy — and  a  peculiar 
talent  of  imparting  instruction  to  others.  The  education 
she  wished  to  give  to  her  students  was  intended  to  draw 
out  the  powers  of  their  mind,  to  strengthen  their  habits 
of  thought,  to  direct  them  how  to  employ  their  gifts  to 
the  greatest  advantage,  to  lead  them  into  the  temple  of 
learning,  and  incite  their  curiosity  to  investigate  its  re- 
cesses; and  at  the  same  time  to  foster  their  piety  and 
zeal  by  employing  them  in  their  Master's  service. 

During  her  residence  at  Bath,  the  thoughts  of  the 
Countess  were  constantly  directed  to  the  establishment  of 
the  College  at  Trevecca ;  and  she  frequently  wrote  to  Mr. 
Fletcher,  and  others  respecting  it,  and  submitted  to  them 
the  plan  which  she  had  drawn  up  when  at  Kippax  in 
Yorkshire.  She  proposed  to  admit  only  such  as  were 
truly  converted  to  God,  and  wished  to  dedicate  themselves 
to  his  service ;  that  the  term  of  residence  should  extend 
over  three  years ;  during  which  time,  the  students  were 
to  be  educated,  and  to  have  all  the  necessaries  of  life, 
and  a  suit  of  clothes  once  a  year,  free  of  expense ;  and 
at  the  expiration  of  their  course,  they  were  exjpected  to 
labour  in  those  localities  where  the  Countess  desired 
their  services;  though,  if  they  requested  it,  they  were 
to  be  permitted  to  enter  the  Established  Church.  Lady 
Huntingdon  had  a  high  opinion  of  the  piety,  learning, 
and  ability  of  Mr.  Fletcher,  and  she  invited  him  to  be- 
come the  President  of  her  College.  She  did  not  expect 
him  to  reside  there,  as  his  duties  at  Madeley  would  not  have 

23 


266  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

permitted  it ;  but  lie  was  to  attend  as  regularly  as  tie  could ; 
to  give  advice  respecting  the  appointment  of  tutors, 
and  admission  of  students ;  to  overlook  their  studies  and 
conduct,  assist  their  piety,  and  judge  of  their  qualifica- 
tions for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Mr.  Fletcher  most 
cordially  approved  the  plan,  and  felt  sure  that  the  Insti- 
tution would  prove  a  great  blessing  to  the  Church  of 
Christ;  he,  therefore,  readily  complied  with  her  Lady- 
ship's invitation,  and  accepted  the  ofi6.ce  she  had  proposed 
to  confer  upon  him.  He  received  no  salary,  or  reward ; 
but  entered  on  his  labours  from  the  sole  motive  of  being 
useful  in  the  important  work  of  training  young  men  for 
the  glorious  work  of  preaching  the  gospel. 

When  the  plan,  for  the  examination  of  the  young  men, 
who  might  be  deemed  proper  candidates  for  admission 
into  the  College,  was  drawn  up,  and  approved  by  White- 
field,  Eomaine,  Yenn,  and  Wesley ;  it  was  forwarded  by 
Lady  Huntingdon  to  all  the  ministers,  with  whom  she 
had  any  acquaintance  or  connection;  with  the  request 
that  they  would  assist  her  in  the  choice  of  suitable  per- 
sons for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  In  reply,  Mr. 
Fletcher  sent  a  letter  to  her  Ladyship,  dated  Madeley, 
November  24th,  1767,  in  which  he  says : — 

''  I  have  received  the  proposals  which  your  Ladyship 
has  drawn  up  for  the  examination  of  the  young  men, 
who  may  appear  proper  candidates  for  the  Trevecca 
academy,  and  gratefully  acknowledge  your  kindness  in 
allowing  me  to  propose  suitable  subjects  out  of  my 
parish.  Our  Israel  is  small,  my  Lady,  and  if  among  six 
hundred  thousand,  only  two  faithful  men  were  found  of 
old,  the  Joshuas  and  Calebs  cannot  be  numerous  among 
us.  After  having  perused  the  articles,  and  looked  round 
about  me,  I  designed  to  answer  your  Ladyship,  that  out 
of  this  Galilee  ariseth  no  prophet.  With  this  resolution  I 
went  to  bed,  but  in  my  sleep  was  much  taken  up  with 
the  thought  and  remembrance  of  one  of  my  young  col- 


PLAN     OF     ADMISSION.  267 

liers,  "vvlio  told  me  some  months  ago,  that  for  four  years 
he  had  been  inwardly  persuaded  he  should  be  called  to 
speak  for  God.  I  looked  upon  the  unusual  impression 
of  my  dream  as  a  call  to  speak  to  the  young  man,  and  at 
waking  designed  to  do  so  at  the  first  opportunity.  To 
my  great  surprise  he  came  to  Madeley  that  very  morn- 
ing, and  I  found  upon  inquiry  he  had  been  as  much 
drawn  to  come,  as  I  to  speak  to  him.  This  encouraged  me 
to  speak  to  him  of  your  Ladyship's  design ;  and  I  was 
satisfied,  by  his  conversation,  that  I  might  venture  to 
propose  him  to  your  Ladyship  for  further  examination. 
His  name  is  James  Glazehrook,  collier  and  getter  of  iron- 
stone in  Madeley  Wood.  He  is  now  twenty -three,  by 
look  nineteen ;  he  has  been  awakened  seven  years ;  he 
has  been  steady  from  the  beginning  of  his  profession,  at 
least  so  far  as  to  be  kept  outwardly  unblamable,  but 
seemed  to  me  to  walk  mostly  in  heaviness.  What  I  told 
him  was  as  oil  put  into  a  glimmering  lamp,  and  he  seems 
to  revive  upon  heariog  of  the  little  outward  call.  Not- 
withstanding his  strong  desire  to  exhort,  he  never  at- 
tempted it  yet ;  and  his  not  being  forw^ard  to  run  of  him- 
self, makes  me  have  the  better  hope  his  call  is  from  Grod. 
He  hath  no  mean  gift  in  singing  and  prayer ;  his  judg- 
ment and  sense  are  superior  to  his  station ;  and  he  does 
not  seem,  at  least  in  the  prospect,  to  be  discouraged  by 
the  severest  part  of  your  Ladyship's  proposals.  One  dif- 
ficulty stood  in  the  way  ;  he  maintains  by  his  labour  his 
aged  mother ;  but  this  is  made  easy  by  his  mother's 
leave  and  the  promise  of  an  elder  son  to  maintain  her,  if 
he  can  but  have  his  brother's  place  in  the  pit. 

With  regard  to  the  superintendency  of  the  College,  or 
the  examination  of  the  candidates,  I  know  myself  too  well 
to  dream  about  it ;  nevertheless,  so  far  as  my  present  call- 
ing and  poor  abilities  will  allow,  I  am  ready  to  throw 
my  mite  into  the  treasury  that  your  Ladyship  may  find 
in  other  persons." 


268  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Early  in  January  1768,  Mr.  Fletcher  was  appointed 
President,  and  tlie  Rev.  Joseph  Easterbrook,  afterwards 
vicar  of  the  parish  of  Temple  in  the  city  of  Bristol,  head 
master  of  the  College.  Mr.  Fletcher  wrote  to  Lady 
Huntingdon  on  the  course  of  training  to  be  adopted ;  and 
though  the  curriculum  presents  a  very  imperfect  aspect, 
when  compared  with  the  present  range  of  studies,  it  w^as 
far  superior,  for  the  grand  eyid  in  vieiv,  to  what  could  then 
be  obtained  in  the  national  universities  to  prepare  for 
ministerial  labours.     He  sayvS : — 

"I  thank  your  Ladyship  for  having  recommended  to 
me  Easterbrook ;  I  hope  he  will  be  the  captain  of  the 
school,  and  a  great  help  to  the  master,  as  well  as  a  spur 
to  the  students.  He  hath  good  parts,  a  most  happy 
memory,  and  a  zeal  that  would  gladden  your  Ladyship's 
heart.  He  has  preached  no  less  than  four  times  to-day  ; 
and  seems,  indeed,  in  his  own  element  when  he  is  seeking 
after  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel.  He  is  employed 
every  evening  in  the  work  of  the  Lord ;  and  I  give  him 
the  more  opportunity  to  exercise  his  talent,  as  it  appears 
he  does  it  far  better  than  I.  I  beg  two  things  for  him  ; 
first,  that  it  may  hold ;  secondly,  that  he  may  be  kept 
humble.  He  would  at  first  live  upon  potatoes  and  water ; 
but  finding  it  may  impair  his  health,  I  have  got  him  tu 
table  with  me,  and  shall  gladly  pay  his  board ;  he  works 
for  me,  and  the  workman  is  worthy  of  his  hire. 

Our  young  collier  seems  a  little  discouraged  with  re- 
gard to  the  hopes  of  his  being  admitted  one  of  your 
students ;  he  thinks  he  stands  no  chance,  if  all  must  be 
qualified  as  he-  is.  With  regard  to  books,  I  am  in  doubt 
what  to  write  to  your  Ladyship.  Having  studied  abroad 
(Geneva,)  and  used  rather  foreign  than  English  books 
with  my  pupils,  I  am  not  acquainted  with  the  books 
Great  Britain  affords,  well  enough  to  select  the  lest  and 

*  Easterbrook. 


COUliSE     OF     STUDIES.  269 

most  concise.  Besides,  a  plan  of  studies  must  be  fixed 
upon  first,  before  proper  books  can  be  chosen.  Grammar, 
Logic,  Rhetoric,  with  Ecclesiastical  History,  and  a  little 
Natural  Philosophy,  and  Geography,  with  a  great  deal 
of  practical  Divinity,  will  be  sufiicient  for  those  who  do 
not  care  to  dive  into  languages.  Mr.  Town  send  and 
Charles  Wesley  might,  by  spending  an  hour  together, 
make  a  proper  choice ;  and  I  would  recommend  them 
not  to  forget  Watts'  Logic,  and  his  History  of  the  Bible 
by  questions  and  answers,  which  seem  to  me  excellent 
books  of  the  kind  for  clearness  and  order.  Mr.  Wesley's 
Natural  Philosophy  contains  as  much  as  is  wanted,  or 
more.  Mason's  Essay  on  Pronunciation  will  be  worth 
their  attention.  Henry  and  Gill  on  the  Bible,  with  the 
four  volumes  of  Baxter's  practical  works,  Keach's  Meta- 
phors, Taylor  on  the  Types  (printed  at  Trevecca,)  Gur- 
naFs  Christian  Armour,  Edwards  on  Preaching,  Johnson's 
English  Dictionary,  and  Mr.  Wesley's  Christian  Library, 
may  make  part  of  the  little  library.  The  book  of  Baxter, 
I  mention,  I  shall  take  care  to  send  to  Trevecca,  as  a 
mite  towards  the  collection,  together  with  Usher's  Body 
of  Divinity,  Scapula's  Greek  Lexicon,  and  Lyttleton's 
Latin  Dictionary. 

With  regard  to  those  who  propose  to  learn  Latin  and 
Greek,  the  master,  your  Ladyship  will  appoint,  may 
choose  to  follow  his  particular  method.  Mr.  Wesley's 
books,  printed  for  the  use  of  Christian  youths,  seem  to 
me  short  and  proper ;  and  their  expense  less,  which  I 
suppose  should  be  consulted.  Two  or  three  dictionaries 
of  Bailey  or  Dyke,  for  those  who  learn  English,  with  two 
or  three  Cole's  Dictionaries,  Schrevelius's  and  Pasor's, 
for  those  who  will  learn  Latin  and  Greek,  may  be  a 
sufiicient  stock  at  first." 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  w^as  making  these  prepara- 
tions for  establishing  her  College  in  Wales,  she  was 
busily  engaged  in  the  midst  of  a  large  and  fashionable 


270  MEMOIR     OF    LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

circle  at  Bath.  The  services  connected  with  the  funeral 
of  the  Earl  of  Buchan  had  impressed  many  with  the  con- 
viction of  their  mortality  ;  and  her  Ladyship  was  anxious 
to  prevent  these  impressions  passing  away  like  the  early 
dev/.  The  young  Earl  came  forward  and  boldly  declared 
his  faith  in  tlie  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the  advice  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  appointed  Messrs.  Venn,  Berridge,  and 
Fletcher  his  chaplains.  His  open  avowal  of  religion 
drew  upon  him  the  sneers  and  reproaches  of  his  former 
companions ;  but  he  stood  as  firm  as  a  rock  against  the 
torrents  of  sarcasm  which  dashed  against  him,  and  man- 
fully fought  the  good  fight  of  faith.  The  health  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  was  far  from  established,  and  her  constitu- 
tion frequently  indicated  increasing  frailty,  and  decay. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  year  1768,  she  experienced 
an  almost  total  loss  of  appetite.  Every  remedy  was  tried 
to  recruit  her  strength ;  the  ablest  physicians  were  con- 
stant in  their  attendance  upon  her;  yet  she  lingered  in 
great  prostration  of  body.  The  ardent  workings  of  her 
soul,  and  her  deep  anxiety  to  do  good,  were  too  powerful 
for  her  weak  frame  to  endure ;  and  yet  it  was  impossible 
for  her  to  give  up  her  efforts,  or  relinquish  her  plans. 
A  life  of  ease  or  inactivity  was  incompatible  with  her 
nature;  her  soul  was  touched  with  pity  towards  a  be- 
nighted world,  and  glowed  with  divine  enthusiasm ;  and 
she  felt  that  as  long  as  one  spark  of  life  remained  in  her 
body,  it  should  be  employed  to  animate  the  servants  of 
Christ,  and,  like  the  star  of  Bethlehem,  to  direct  the 
world  to  the  Saviour.  Her  Ladyship  had  also  many 
outward  trials  to  depress  her  spirit ;  and  though  she  was 
still  spared,  she  saw  many  of  her  beloved  friends  re- 
moved from  her.  At  the  commencement  of  this  year, 
she  was  called  to  part  with  two  near  and  dear  relatives, 
the  Hon.  John  Shirley,  brother  to  Washington,  Earl 
Ferrars,  and  her  aunt  Lady  Stewarta  Shirley,  sister  to 
Lady  Fanny.     The  sorrow  of  the  Countess  was  mitigated 


TRIALS     OF      THE     COUNTESS.  271 

by  the  consolations  of  divine  grace.  She  could  commit 
the  pious  dead  to  the  custody  of  the  grave  in  sure  and 
certain  hope;  and  though  natural  affection  caused  the 
tear  to  fall,  and  the  sigh  to  heave  the  bosom,  faith  pointed 
to  Him  who  regulates  all  affairs,  and  whispered  to  her 
heart,  "  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God."  In  all  her 
trials,  Lady  Huntingdon  recognised  the  tender  hand  of 
her  heavenly  Father.  She  Avas  conscious  that  the  chas- 
tisement was  needed,  and  that  it  was  sent  to  her  for  wise 
and  benevolent  purposes.  The  clouds  gathered  too 
thickly  around  her  for  her  now  to  discern  the  end ;  but 
she  felt  assured  that,  when  she  had  passed  the  night  of  her 
existence,  and  reached  the  eternal  day,  she  would  be  able 
to  ascertain  how  much  love  and  mercy  even  the  blackest 
cloud  had  conveyed  to  her.  She  enjoyed  the  presence 
of  Christ  in  her  afflictions ;  his  voice  thrilled  her  heart, 
like  the  sweet  tones  of  music ;  his  hand  wiped  the  tears 
from  her  cheeks;  his  smiles  restored  tranquility,  and, 
like  sunbeams,  beautified  the  heart ;  and  when  she  ex- 
perienced the  boundless  blessings  he  had  scattered  upon 
her  soul,  she  could  lift  up  her  eyes  to  heaven,  and 
exclaim, 

''My  God,  the  spring  of  all  my  joys, 

The  life  of  my  delights  ; 
The  glory  of  my  brightest  days, 

And  comfort  of  my  nights." 

The  illness  and  bereavements  of  Lady  Huntingdon  did 
not  divert  her  from  the  great  business  of  her  life.  The 
affairs  of  her  chapels  demanded  her  constant  attention,  and 
the  extensive  itinerancy  she  maintained  in  various  parts 
of  the  country  involved  a  voluminous  correspondence. 
AYhen  prostrated  by  sickness,  she  felt  the  value  of  her 
companion.  Lady  Ann  Erskine;  whose  kindness  and 
assistance  proved  a  great  comfort  to  the  Countess. 
Through  her,  she  corresponded  with  various  ministers  to 
supply°her  chapels,  and  managed  the  affairs  of  her  enter- 


272  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

prise.  She  ^yrote  to  Mr.  Berridge  and  invited  him  to 
supply  the  pulpit  at  Bath  ;  and  in  a  curious  letter  to  her 
Ladj^ship,  this  eccentric  preacher  declines  the  honour, 
because,  he  says,  he  has  been  whipped  pretty  severely  for 
fighting  out  of  his  proper  regiment  and  for  rambling  out 
of  his  bounds,  and  that  while  the  smart  of  the  rod  remains 
on  his  back,  it  will  weigh  more  with  him  than  a  thousand 
arguments.  He  gives  a  striking  picture  of  what  his 
assistant  would  have  to  endure,  if  he  left  his  own  work. 
He  says : — 

"  I  fear  my  weekly  circuits  would  not  suit  a  London  or 
a  Bath  divine,  nor  any  tender  Evangelist  that  is  environed 
with  prunello.  Long  rides  and  miry  roads  in  sharp 
weather !  Cold  houses  to  sit  in  with  very  moderate  fuel, 
and  three  or  four  children  roaring  or  rocking  about  you  ! 
Coarse  food,  lumpy  beds  to  lie  on,  and  too  short  for  the 
feet ;  stiff  blankets,  like  boards,  for  a  covering ;  and  live 
cattle  in  plenty  to  feed  upon  you !  Else  at  five  in  the 
morning  to  preach  ;  at  seven,  breakfast  on  tea  that  smells 
very  sickly ;  at  eight,  mount  a  horse,  with  boots  never 
cleaned,  and  then  ride  home,  praising  God  for  all  mercies. 
Sure  I  must  stay  till  your  academy  is  completed,  before  I 
can  have  an  assistant." 

Mr.  Berridge,  however,  recommended  to  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon the  Kev.  Matthew  Powley,  vicar  of  Dewsbury, 
Yorkshire,  a  man  of  superior  talents  and  distinguished 
piety,  who  preached  to  large  audiences  at  Bath,  and  was 
made  the  means  of  impressing  many  with  the  necessity  of 
a  change  of  heart.  Her  Ladyship  was  highly  delighted 
with  his  ministry,  and  followed  his  energetic  appeals  to 
the  conscience,  with  prayer  for  the  divine  blessing. 

In  the  beginning  of  March,  important  business  required 
the  presence  of  the  Countess  in  London.  Mr.  Kimpton, 
who  had  held  the  living  of  Aldwincle  in  Korthampton- 
shirc  for  many  years,  became  involved  in  difficulties  by 


ME.     KIMPTON.  273 

Ms  imprudent  conduct,  and  was  imprisoned  in  the  King's 
Bench.  As  the  Bishop  would  not  permit  him  to  transfer 
his  living  to  some  clergyman  for  a  limited  time,  and  he 
was  unable  immediately  to  meet  with  a  purchaser,  to  pre- 
vent it  falling  into  the  Bishop's  hands,  he  presented  it, 
through  Mr.  Madan,  to  Dr.  Ilaweis,  whom  he  had  never 
previously  seen.  Some  months  after,  a  gentleman  offered 
Mr.  Kimpton  one  thousand  guineas  for  the  advowson ; 
he  therefore  immediately  applied  to  Dr.  Haweis  either  to 
resign  the  living,  or  to  give  him  some  compensation  for 
it.  As  no  such  stipulations  had  been  made  to  Messrs. 
Madan  and  Haweis,  when  the  presentation  was  drawn  up, 
they  refused  to  yield.  This  caused  the  greatest  distress 
to  Mr.  Kimpton,  who  was  still  a  prisoner,  and  whose 
family  was  nearly  starving.  The  affair  soon  became  pub- 
lic, and  the  bitterest  aspersions  were  cast  upon  the 
characters  of  Dr.  Haweis  and  Mr.  Madan.  Mr.  Kimpton 
admitted  that  no  previous  stipulations  had  been  entered 
into,  but  urged  that  his  circumstances  were  Avell  known 
to  them ;  thot  when  he  presented  the  living  to  Dr.  Haweis, 
he  relied  solely  on  his  honour ;  and  that  it  could  never 
have  been  expected  that  he  Avas  willing  to  relinquish  ab- 
solutely his  living  to  an  entire  stranger,  who  was  likely 
to  enjoy  it  for  a  number  of  years,  when  he  could  have 
found  many  at  an  advanced  age  to  whom  it  might  have 
been  presented.  Mr.  Madan  considered  that  he  had  acted 
in  an  honourable  manner  towards  Mr.  Kimpton,  and 
sought  the  highest  legal  advice  upon  the  matter.  The 
Lord  Chancellor,  Lord  Apsley,  to  whom  he  was  chaplain, 
decided  in  his  favour;  still  his  name  was  publicly  black- 
ened, and  his  character  maligned. by  the  statements  which 
were  published.  Much  recrimination  and  bitterness  was 
manifested  on  both  sides;  and  the  pamphlets  which  ap- 
peared only  increased  the  public  ferment. 

Lady  Huntingdon   was  deeply  grieved  at  witnessing 
the  scandal  which  this  affair  had  brought  upon  religion, 


274        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDON. 

and  she  hastened  to  London  to  see  what  measures  could 
be  devised  to  hush  the  strife.  After  a  long  consultation 
with  Whitefield,  Thornton,  and  others,  her  purchase  of 
the  advowson  was  considered  the  best  means  of  removing 
the  obloquy,  from  the  Christian  church  ;  and  at  the  same 
time  of  assisting  the  poor  sufferers,  and  of  relieving  Dr. 
Haweis  and  Mr.  Madan  from  their  unfortunate  position. 
On  the  1st  of  March,  1768,  Lady  Huntingdon  accordingly 
sent  to  Mr.  Thornton,  by  Whitefield,  a  draft  for  one  thou- 
sand pounds,  and  commissioned  them,  with  the  Rev.  S. 
Brewer,  to  purchase  the  perpetual  advowson,  of  Aldwin- 
cle,  and  deliver  Mr.  Kimpton  and  his  family  out  of  their 
difficulties  and  distress.  In  her  letter  to  Mr.  Thornton 
she  requests  that  it  may  be  stated  that  the  step  is  taken 
without  any  understanding  with  Mr.  Madan,  that  no 
public  notice  of  her  deed  should  be  made,  and  that  even 
Mr.  Kimpton  should  not  know  the  source  whence  the 
money  came.  ''  Gratitude  to  me  would  exceedingly  hurt 
me  under  any  form  whatever.  My  heart  feels  too  much 
ashamed  before  Him  who  sees  it,  to  receive  any  approba- 
tion from  man."  Lord  Dartmouth  had  taken  an  active 
part  in  this  controversy ;  and  when  aware  of  the  gene- 
rous intention  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  he  expressed  his 
anxiety  lest  the  characters  of  Dr.  Haweis  and  Mr.  Madan 
should  suffer  by  it.  Her  Ladyship,  therefore,  wrote  a 
letter  to  him  informing  him  of  what  she  had  done,  and 
stating  that,  though  he  had  looked  at  the  affair  in  a  ten- 
der and  charitable  light,  the  world  had  seen  it  through  a 
different  medium  ;  and  that,  therefore,  it  was  necessary 
to  remove  the  cause  of  the  offence,  that  the  characters  of 
his  friends  might  be  completely  vindicated.  She  also 
wrote  that  same  day  to  Mr.  Madan,  for  whom  she  had  a 
high  regard,  and  candidly  explained  her  sentiments,  and 
her  reasons  for  the  part  she  had  taken  in  the  transaction. 
She  stated  that  she  had,  from  the  first,  held  the  opinion 
that  she  could  not  see  how  Dr.  HaAveis  could,  as  a  honest 


HER     CORRESPONDENCE.  275 

man,  keep  tlie  living ;  and  that  tlie  suspicion  of  simony 
in  giving  it  up  might  easily  be  avoided  by  proving,  be- 
fore the  Bishop,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Kimpton,  them- 
selves free  from  any  such  thing.  She  reminded  Mr. 
Madan  that  nearly  a  year  before,  she  had  stated  her  dis- 
approbation of  their  proceedings,  but  had  maintained  a 
strict  silence  on  the  question ;  when,  however,  matters 
had  reached  their  climax,  and  religion  was  openly  ma- 
ligned, she  determined  to  step  in,  and  remove  the  evil  by 
purchasing  the  living.  She  recommended  him  with  Dr. 
Haweis  to  make  a  public  apology  for  any  weakness  or 
wrong  impressions  manifested,  and  thus  to  restore  peace 
and  happiness  to  all  concerned. 

Throughout  this  unfortunate  affair,  the  part  which 
Lady  Huntingdon  had  acted,  redounds  much  to  her  hon- 
our ;  and  displays  her  keen  jealousy  for  the  unsullied 
glory  of  Christ,  her  generosity  towards  the  sufferers,  aad 
her  strength  of  mind  and  determination  of  purpose. 
Though  sincerely  attached  to  Dr.  Haweis  and  Mr.  Madan, 
and  with  everything  to  bias  her  judgment  in  their  favour, 
she  formed  her  own  opinion  of  the  transaction,  and  acted 
as  she  deemed  right.  Her  conduct  on  this  occasion  did 
not  prevent  the  co-operation  of  these  zealous  ministers 
in  her  Ladyship's  service.  Their  piety  was  undoubted ; 
God  crowned  their  labours  with  great  success  ;  and  Dr. 
Haweis  became  one  of  her  devisees,  and  the  chief  mana- 
ger of  her  chapels  after  the  decease  of  Lady  Erskine. 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  Bath,  her  attention 
was  drawn  to  the  evidences  of  piety  which  were  mani- 
fested by  many  of  the  students  at  the  universities.  The 
Cambridge  band  was  headed  by  Eowland  Hill,  whose 
whole  soul  was  engaged  in  promoting  the  growth  of  reli- 
gion among  his  friends.  At  the  head  of  the  Oxford  band 
was  Mr.  Halward,  a  constant  correspondent  of  Mr.  Hill, 
who  assembled  his  little  company  at  the  house  of  White- 
field's  friend,  Mrs.  Durbridge,  for  prayer  and  religious 


276  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTIXGDON. 

conversation.  Among  them  were  the  six  students  of  St. 
Edmund's  Hall,  who  were  expelled  from  the  university ; 
Benjamin  Kay,  Thomas  Jones,  Thomas  Grove,  Erasmus 
Middleton,  Joseph  Shipman,  and  Matthews.  This  meeting 
created  a  great  excitement  in  the  city.  Dr.  Stillingfleet, 
then  fellow  of  Merton  College,  and  a  cherished  friend  of 
Lady  Huntingdon,  had  been  accustomed  to  meet  them  at 
Mrs.  Durbridge's  house,  where  he  read  and  prayed  with 
them,  and  invited  them  to  do  likewise.  Their  unusual 
piety,  and  their  zealous  efforts  at  expounding  in  private 
houses,  and  preaching  in  the  neighbourhood,  excited  the 
jealousy  of  the  clergy,  and  provoked  the  ridicule  of  the 
gay  gownsmen.  An  ofiicious  tutor  of  St.  Edmund's  Hall, 
Mr.  Higson,  complained  of  these  students  to  the  Principal, 
Dr.  Dixon,  and  spoke  of  them  as  ''  Enthusiasts,  who 
talked  of  inspiration,  regeneration,  and  drawing  nigh  to 
Grod."  The  worthy  Doctor  was  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  views  and  pure  lives  of  the  accused  students,  and 
refused  to  entertain  the  charge  made  against  them.  Hig- 
son, therefore,  appealed  to  the  Vice-Chancellor,  Dr. 
Durrell,  who  summonded  a  special  conclave,  appointed 
assessors,  and  cited  the  offending  students  before  him  on 
Friday,  March  11th,  1768.  Several  heads  of  houses 
warmly  espoused  the  cause  of  the  students,  especially 
Dr.  Dixon,  who,  as  Principal  of  the  Hall,  bore  direct  tes- 
timony to  their  exemplary  conduct  and  piety,  and  de- 
fended their  doctrines  by  appealing  to  the  Thirty-nine 
Articles.  His  efforts,  however,  were  unavailing ;  the 
sentence  of  expulsion  was  passed  ;  and  the  Vice- Chancel- 
lor, in  summing  up,  exclaimed,  "I,  therefore,  by  my 
visitorial  power  do  hereby  pronounce  them  expelled  ! " 
The  event  speedily  created  a  great  stir  abroad,  which  the 
daily  papers  increased  by  the  prominence  they  gave  to 
the  circumstances  of  the  case.  Whitefield  immediately 
addressed  a  letter  to  the  Vice-Chancellor,  written  in  his 
most  forcible  style ;  Sir  Eichard  Hill  wrote  his  famous 


EXPULSION     OF     SIX     STUDENTS.  277 

pamphlet  called  "  Pietas  Oxoniensis^^  and  dedicated  it  to 
the  Chancellor  of  the  university,  the  Earl  of  Lichfield ; 
Dr.  Home,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Norwich,  ably  defended 
the  students ;  and  others  severely  lashed  the  members  of 
the  conclave  for  their  unjust  sentence.  Lady  Huntingdon 
watched  the  progress  of  these  events  with  considerable 
anxiety.  She  had  been  for  some  time  acquainted  with 
some  of  the  students,  and  had  received  from  Whitefield 
the  account  of  their  proceedings.  Her  name  was  associ- 
ated with  them  in  a  very  curious  manner.  In  the  public 
journals  she  was  accused  of  seducing  young  men  from 
their  trade  or  avocation,  sending  them  to  the  university, 
maintaining  them  there  at  her  expense,  and  at  length 
smuggling  them  into  holy  orders.  Lady  Hunting^don 
cared  little  for  the  ridicule  of  the  world,  but  was  justly 
indignant  at  the  conduct  of  the  university  authorities,  for 
expelling  these  young  men  because  their  piety  shone 
conspicuously  in  a  dark  age  of  the  Church.  In  the  fol- 
lowing letter,  her  Ladyship  gives  free  expression  to  her 
sentiments  on  the  whole  affair  : 

''It  is  a  grevious  thing  to  find  men,  who  have  so- 
lemnly subscribed  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Keformation, 
acting  with  such  inconsistent  cruelty,  tyranny,  falsehood, 
and  scurrility  towards  those  who  conscientiously  adhere 
to  the  tenets  of  our  excellent  Church,  and  endeavour  to 
propagate  her  principles.  Such  conduct  on  the  part  of 
our  Church-rulers  and  the  heads  of  the  universities,  is  a 
sad  blow  to  the  Church  to  which  they  profess  to  belong, 
and  strengthens  the  hands  of  our  Popish  adversaries. 
Of  what  solemn  perjury  are  those  men  guilty,  who  for 
the  sake  of  filthy  lucre  and  creeping  into  high  places, 
swear  to  the  belief  of  doctrines  and  principles,  which,  in 
their  hearts,  they  disbelieve  and  detest  ?  How  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church  will  be  avenged  on  such  people  as 
these,  and  how  he  will  reward  their  fidelity,  a  future  day 
will  disclose  to  the  view  of  an  assembled  world  !     O,  my 

24 


278  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

soul,  come  not  thou  into  tlie  secrets  of  sucli  men  "With, 
the  foul  invectives  of  common  newspapers  I  have  no- 
thing to  do ;  neither  am  I  accountable  for  the  impudent 
falsehood  of  those  who  have  maliciously  asserted  that  I 
have  inveigled  six  ignorant  young  men  from  their  trades 
in  the  country,  and  maintained  them  at  the  University. 
All  these,  and  many  other  absurd  ridiculous  accusations, 
insinuation,  and  statements,  are  utterly  false,  and  without 
any,  the  least,  foundation  of  truth  to  support  them ;  but 
the  Lord  Grod  is  witness  between  me  and  my  accusers  in 
this  matter ;  and  woe  unto  them  that  call  good  evil,  and 
evil  good ;  that  put  darkness  for  light,  and  light  for 
darkness.  Dr.  Kowell  seems  to  be  of  opinion,  that  the 
expulsion  of  the  students  'is  a  seasonable  interposition, 
and  has  disappointed  the  hojDCS  of  those  who  were  desi- 
rous of  filling  the  church  with  their  votaries.'  Bold 
assertion  often  supplies  the  place  of  truth  with  some 
men.  May  the  Lord  pardon  him  for  the  unjust  part  he 
has  acted  in  this  affair,  and  convince  him  that  his  con- 
duct, and  that  of  the  other  members  of  the  University, 
has  been  utterly  inconsistent  with  every  sentiment  of 
truth,  justice,  conscience,  religion,  humanity,  and  can- 
dour. "  * 

This  tyrannical  oppression  only  stimulated  the  zeal  of 
the  Countess,  and  determined  her  speedily  to  open  her 
own  College,  as  an  asylum  for  some  of  these  persecuted 
students,  and  a  nursery  for  the  Church.  In  the  begin- 
ning of  May,  she  repaired  to  Tunbridge  Wells,  where 
she  made  the  necessary  arrangements  for  opening  that 
Institution  in  the  following  August.  She  saw  that  the 
persecuting  spirit  of  the  age  was  forcing  her  to  depend 
more  upon  her  own  efforts:  and  she  probably  discerned 
that  the  time  would  not  be  far  distant  when  she  would 
have  to  look  to  her  own  College  for  a  supply  of  faithful 
labourers,  whom  she  wished  to  employ  in  all  parts  of  the 

country. 

*  Life  and  Times,  &c.,  Vol.  L,  p.  426. 


DEATH    OF    LADY    MARGARET    INGHAM.     279 


CHAPTER  XYI.    A.D.     1768—176  9. 

TUNBRIDGE  WELLS. — DEATH  OF  LADY  MARGARET  INGHAM. 
WHITE  FIELD.^TWO  EXPELLED  STUDENTS  AND  LORD 
HUNTINGDON. — ANECDOTES. — THE  COLLEGE  AT  TRE- 
VECCA  OPENED. — THE  STUDENTS ;  THEIR  STUDIES,  ZEAL, 
AND  LABOURS. — LETTER  OF  JOHN  BERRIDGE. — LADY 
HUNTINGDON  IN  LONDON. — PAINFUL  REMINISCENCES. — ' 
booth's  "  REIGN  OF  GRACE." — THE  COUNTESS  AT  BATH. 
'  A  REMEDY  FOR  SICK  MINISTERS. — REV.  DR.  DE  COURCY. 
—OPENING  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON'S  CHAPEL  AT  TUN- 
BRIDGE  WELLS. 

In  tlie  month  of  May  1768,  Lady  Hilntiugdon  pro- 
cured a  permanent  residence  in  that  part  of  Tunbridgo 
Wells- called  Mount  Ephraim.  She  had  scarcely  entered 
her  new  abode,  before  she  received  the  intelligence  of  the 
death  of  Lady  Margaret  Ingham.  Her  Ladyship  was  in 
her  sixty-eighth  year,  and  had  been  gradually  declining, 
though  not  so  as  to  arouse  the  fears  of  her  friends.  She 
had  spent  a  life  of  great  activity  and  usefulness,  and  had 
energetically  aided  the  efforts  of  her  devoted  husband. 
Her  character  was  adorned  with  the  loveliest  Christian 
graces,  and  her  influence  was  felt  and  acknowledged  by 
a  large  circle  of  friends.  When  she  was  evidently  sink- 
ing, Mrs.  Medhurst  and  Miss  Wheeler  repaired  to  Aber- 
ford,  and  remained  there  till  her  decease.  H,er  closing 
days  were  peaceful  and  happy.  She  suffered  but  little, 
and  gently  declined  till  she  was  called  away.  It  was  a 
pleasure  to  attend  her,  and  witness  her  decay.  Her 
cheeks  were   flushed,    her   eyes  retained   their   peculiar 


280  MEMOIR     OF    LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

lustre,  her  voice,  thougli  weak,  was  melodious,  and  her 
smiles  threw  a  charm  around  her  features  which  enrap- 
tured the  beholders.  Like  an  aged  leaf  on  which  au- 
tumn has  pencilled  his  glorious  tints,  she  was  fading  into 
beauty,  and  waiting  for  the  heavenly  breath  to  waft  her 
to  the  skies.  At  length  the  hour  arrived ;  and  with  ex- 
piring energy  she  exclaimed,  "Thanks  be  to  God!  the 
moment's  come,  the  day  is  dawning;" and  her  joyful  spirit 
fled  from  its  earthly  abode,  April  30th,  1768.  Mr.  Ing- 
ham survived  her  only  four  years.  His  constitution  was 
completely  shattered  by  his  active  labours,  and  the  trou- 
bles which  had  befallen  his  societies.  A  deep  melan- 
choly settled  upon  his  mind ;  his  spirits  were  either 
very  highly  excited  or  unduly  depressed ;  and  he  often 
indulged  the  fear  that  he  should  be  eternally  lost.  Lady 
Huntingdon  and  his  friends  made  every  attempt  to  rally 
and  cheer  him,  and  their  letters  were  of  great  benefit  to 
him ;  but,  at  length  he  sank  under  the  weight  of  his 
troubles,  and  entered  into  his  rest.  He  was  a  remarka- 
ble person,  and  the  means  of  doing  great  good.  He  was 
handsome  in  his  appearance,  gentlemanly  in  his  deport- 
ment, animated  in  his  address,  and  a  model  of  Christian 
character.  He  was  exceedingly  generous  in  his  liberality, 
and  defrayed  the  expenses  of  most  of  his  preachers,  from 
his  private  resources.  Yorkshire  is  indebted  to  Mr.  Ing- 
ham for  the  revival  of  real  religion  throughout  the 
county. 

Towards  the  end  of  May,  Lady  Huntingdon  received 
at  Tunbridge  Wells  a  visit  from  Whitefield,  on  his  way 
to  Lewes  and  Brighton.  The  arrangements  were  then 
drawn  up  respecting  the  opening  of  the  College  in  Wales  ; 
and  Whitefield,  during  his  stay,  preached  twice  in  the 
open  air.  The  congregations  were  very  large,  and  many 
were  deeply  impressed  with  the  truth.  The  Countess 
was  watching  the  movements  of  Providence,  and  was 
greatly  encouraged  by  the  disposition  of  the  people  to 


*  LORD     HUNTINGDON.  281 

hear  tlie  Gospel.  She  sajs,  ''Such  happy  indications  of 
the  approbation  of  God  induce  me  to  hope  that  He  will 
deign  to  smile  on  my  humble  efforts  for  the  glory  of  His 
great  name,  and  the  good  of  the  people  of  this  place,  and 
ultimately  crown  them  with  distinguished  success." 
Shortly  after  Whitefield  left,  Mr.  Shipman  and  Mr. 
Matthews,  two  of  the  students  expelled  from  Oxford, 
paid  Lady  Huntingdon  a  visit  at  Tunbridge  Wells,  with 
the  view  of  obtaining  admission  into  her  College.  They 
were  most  cordially  received  by  her  Ladyship,  and  re- 
mained for  some  time  under  her  hospitable  roof. 

One  evening,  Lord  Huntingdon,  who  was  then  staying 
with  the  Countess,  wished  to  have  some  conversation 
with  these  students ;  and  said  to  his  mother,  "  I  should 
like  to  know  the  motives  of  these  young  men,  why  they 
expose  themselves  to  censure,  and  the  loss  of  preferment." 
The  Countess  replied,  "This  evening,  after  supper,  I  will 
leave  the  room,  and  you  shall  have  an  opportunity  of 
discoursing  with  them  separately."  She  contrived  that 
Mr.  Shipman,  who  was  most  ready  in  conversation, 
should  be  first  alone  with  his  Lordship.  Lord  Hunting- 
don, among  other  questions  relative  to  his  sentiments, 
particularly  asked  him  his  views  respecting  the  authen- 
ticity of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  as  his  Lordship  was  well 
versed  in  deistical  objections  to  Christianity.  The  young 
man  was  considerably  confused,  and  felt  very  incompe- 
tent to  give  satisfactory  replies.  Thus  this  interview 
closed;  and  shortly  after,  an  opportunity  was  given  for 
conversation  with  the  other  student.  Mr.  Matthews  was 
remarkably  diffident,  and  so  wanting  in  the  gift  of  utter- 
ance, that  after  a  short  trial  of  his  ministerial  abilities,  he 
entered  upon  secular  pursuits.  Lord  Huntingdon  inter- 
rogated him  respecting  his  principles,  and  the  cause  of 
his  late  conduct  at  Oxford.  He  replied  by  very  simply 
and  fully  relating  the  whole  of  God's  dealings  with  his 
soul.     His  Lordship's  attention  was  riveted,  and  his  mind 

24* 


282  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

SO  astonislied  witli  the  simple  narrative  that  he  urged  no 
objections,  but  when  the  young  man  had  finished,  he 
thanked  him  for  his  information,  and  observed  that  he 
had  no  doubt  he  was  a  very  good  man.  Lady  Hunting- 
don shortly  after  inquired  of  her  son  what  opinions  he 
had  formed  of  the  young  men.  He  said,  "  I  like  the  last 
best.  Taking  the  first  upon  my  own  ground,  I  could 
combat  him  tolerably  well ;  but  the  latter  has  been  in 
paths  to  which  I  am  a  stranger.  I  have  no  doubt  he  is 
an  honest  and  good  man."  When  his  Lordship  was  on 
his  dying-bed,  he  inquired  after  Mr.  Matthews;  which 
showed  the  impression  made  on  his  heart  by  the  narra- 
tion of  what  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ  had  effected. 

Having  candidates  for  the  Christian  ministry  in  her 
house,  the  Countess  thought  it  proper  to  arrange  some 
preaching  engagements.  She  publicly  announced  that  on 
a  certain  evening  there  would  be  preaching  in  front  of 
her  house;  though  she  did  not  make  known  her  in- 
tentions to  her  Oxford  guests.  The  time  arrived ;  and  a 
goodly  company  assembled  around  her  door.  One  of  the 
students  then  asked  her  Ladyship  what  these  things 
meant.  She  replied,  ''I  have  two  preachers  in  my  house, 
and  these  people  have  come  to  hear  a  sermon ;  it  is  ex- 
pected that  one  of  you  will  preach."  They  both  expressed 
their  surprise,  and  informed  her  that  they  had  never 
preached,  but  merely  expounded  the  word  of  God,  and 
that  they  were  too  timid  to  attempt  it  now.  Lady  Hun- 
tingdon addressed  Mr.  Shipman,  and  said  she  must  then 
insist  on  his  informing  the  people  that  he  was  afraid  to 
trust  God  to  assist  him  in  addressing  them.  At  this  time 
he  was  in  the  hall,  and  the  servant  ready  to  open  the 
front  door;  and  her  Ladyship  placed  a  Bible  in  his 
hands,  ordered  the  servant  to  throw  the  door  open,  and 
gently  pushed  him  forward,  and  said,  "  The  Lord  be  with 
you."  Standing  on  the  top  of  the  flight  of  steps,  he 
opened  the  book,  and  selected  his  text.     "  My  spirit  shall 


TEEVECCA  COLLEGE  OPENED.      283 

not  always  strive  witli  man."  Gen.  vi,  3.  He  spoke  of 
the  wickedness  of  man,  the  patience  and  forbearance  of 
God,  and  the  danger  of  abusing  it ;  and  closed  with  pre- 
senting Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  refuge  from  the  deluge 
of  the  coming  wrath.  This  discourse  was  blessed  to  the 
conversion  of  a  man  whose  name  was  Crandal,  Avho  be- 
came the  oldest  disciple  in  the  society  at  Tunb ridge 
Wells,  and  a  most  honourable  member  till  his  death. 
Finding  that  her  young  guest  could  preach  so  well,  the 
Countess  arranged  another  service,  when  Mr.  Shipman 
again  preached ;  and  on  this  occasion,  the  Lord  was 
pleased  to  call  the  wife  of  Crandal  out  of  darkness  into 
his  marvellous  light.  Mr.  Shipman  afterwards  entered 
the  College  at  Trevecca,  and  became  a  bold  preacher  of 
the  gospel,  in  the  most  public  parts  of  England,  both  in 
churches  and  in  the  open-air. 

In  the  summer  of  1768,  Lady  Huntingdon  took  a 
journey  into  Sussex,  where,  says  Komaine,  ''her  only 
view  is  to  carry  glad  tidings  to  a  wretchedly  ignorant 
people.  The  Lord  has  hitherto  prospered  her  design, 
and  while  he  smiles  upon  it,  I  believe  she  will  never  give 
it  up."  She  was  accompanied  by  the  Eev.  W.  Talbot,  of 
Eeading,  who  preached  wherever  he  had  an  opportunity  ; 
and  after  a  short  stay  at  Brighton,  she  set  out  for  Wales 
to  realize  her  long-cherished  hope  of  preparing  an  Evan- 
gelical ministry. 

At  length  the  auspicious  day  arrived,  when  the  College 
was  to  be  opened  for  the  reception  of  the  students,  and 
the  adjoining  chapel  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  It 
was  most  appropriately  chosen  ;  for  on  that  day,  Wednes- 
day, August  24th,  1768,  Lady  Huntingdon  entered  on 
her  sixty-second  year,  in  the  possession  of  vigorous 
powers  of  mind,  and  recruited  bodily  strength.  It  had 
been  anticipated  for  some  weeks,  and  on  the  previous  day 
and  during  the  night  numbers  poured  into  Trevecca  from 
all  parts.     A  vast  company  assembled  in  the  moraing  to 


284  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDOX. 

witness  tlie  proceedings,  to  wliom  Whitefield  preaclicd 
with  great  power  from  tlie  passage,  "  In  all  places  where 
I  record  my  name,  I  will  come  unto  thee,  and  bless  thee." 
The  next  day  he  addressed  the  students  in  the  College 
chapel ;  and  on  the  following  Sunday  preached  in  the 
court-yard  before  the  College  to  many  thousand  persons, 
from  the  text,  ''Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than 
that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ."  He  says,  "  "What  we 
have  seen  and  felt  at  the  College  is  unspeakable  ;  we  were 
favoured  with  gospel  gales  for  several  days." 

The  important  business  of  the  College  was  immediately 
commenced.  Mr.  Fletcher  was  the  President,  Mr.  Easter- 
brook  the  Head  Master,  and  Mr.  Glazebrook  the  first 
Student  proposed,  and  probably  the  first  that  entered. 
His  career  was  singularly  instructive,  and  indicates  how 
a  steady  perseverance  and  upright  conduct  will  lead  to 
noble  and  beneficial  ends.  During  his  stay  at  the  College, 
he  studied  very  diligently,  and  was  occasionally  sent  out 
to  preach  in  different  localities,  where  he  became  very 
popular.  After  itinerating  for  a  short  time,  he  applied  to 
his  noble  patroness  to  procure  him  ordination  in  the 
Established  Church.  Mr.  Fletcher  gave  him  a  title  ;  and 
after  three  years'  residence  at  the  College,  he  was  ordained 
by  Dr.  North  in  the  diocese  of  Litchfield  and  Coventry, 
and  laboured  for  many  years  with  great  success  at  War- 
rino-ton.  Lady  Huntingdon  manifested  the  greatest  in- 
terest in  his  welfare  till  her  death,  and  often  corresjDonded 
with  him. 

The  College  was  quickly  filled  with  students,  who 
formed  a  holy  brotherhood,  and  fostered  each  other's 
piety,  and  stimulated  each  other's  activity.  They  studied 
with  unwearied  diligence,  and  made  considerable  progress 
in  literary  attainments  ;  though  the  frequent  and  urgent 
calls,  which  the  Countess  had  for  their  labours,  and  the 
necessities  of  her  own  chapels,  compelled  her  to  send 
them  forth  to  preach,  before  they  had  made  much  profi- 


THE     STUDENTS.  285 

cienej  in  language  and  sacred  literature.  The  students 
were  all  young  men  of  fervent  piety,  strong  sense,  and 
devoted  to  the  service  of  Christ ;  and  they  received  the 
approbation  of  their  Master,  when  he  made  their  first 
efforts  at  preaching  successful  in  winning  souls.  They 
regularly  rendered  to  the  Countess  an  account  of  their 
labours  ;  and  their  success  awakened  joy  and  gratitude  in 
her  breast,  and  stimulated  her  to  persevere  in  .her  work. 
Her  Ladyship  frequently  resided  at  the  College,  and  ex- 
erted a  mighty  influence  on  its  inmates.  The  house  was 
the  abode  of  peace  and  love ;  the  spirit  of  devotion 
glowed  in  every  heart ;  the  studies  were  associated  with 
prayer,  and  made  subservient  to  the  end  contemplated ; 
contentment  and  order  pervaded  all ;  and  the  rules  of  the 
Institution  were  cheerfully  and  rigidly  adhered  to.  The 
example  of  the  Countess  was  perhaps  the  most  powerful 
instructor  ;  and  each  soul  panted  after  her  spirit  and 
piety.  Like  her,  the  students  were  mighty  in  prayer ; 
and  often  a  stranger  could  have  heard  in  the  lovely  vale, 
the  voice  of  supplication  and  praise  proceeding  from  a 
little  band  of  students,  who  were  pouring  out  the  desires 
of  their  hearts  to  God,  in  the  surrounding  woodlands. 

The  benefits  of  the  College  were  first  experienced  in 
the  immediate  locality.  The  students  were  speedily  sent 
out  to  scatter  the  seed  of  divine  truth,  while  they  were 
acquiring  knowledge.  The  near  villages  were  visited  on 
foot ;  several  horses  were  kept  for  the  purpose  of  convey- 
iug  preachers  to  distant  places  on  Saturday  afternoon; 
and  gradually  the  whole  country,  within  a  circle  of 
thirty  miles,  enjoyed  every  week  the  sound  of  the  gospel. 
Their  ministry  was  very  acceptable  to  the  people ;  there 
was  a  fire  and  freshness  in  their  preaching  which  told 
powerfully  on  their  hearers  ;  their  hearts  were  in  sympa- 
thy with  their  work,  and  with  the  condition  of  the  peo- 
ple; and  their  style  was  adapted  to  arouse  the  careless, 
and  impress  the  sinner  with  his  guilt.      The  sphere  of 


286  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

their  efforts  gradually  increased ;  from  all  parts  of  the 
country  the  cry  was  heard^  "  Come  over  and  help  us  ;  " 
and  the  Countess  was  unwillingly  obliged  to  reject  many 
invitations.  She  was  soon  induced,  by  the  urgent  ne- 
cessity of  the  case,  to  draw  out  plans  for  an  extensive 
itineranc}^,  and  to  keep  up  a  regular  correspondence  with 
her  preachers ;  which  involved  a  labour  that,  at  her 
period  of  life,  was  truly  astonishing,  and  to  which  her 
active  sjDirit  only  was  equal.  Frequently  a  student  was 
sent  out  to  a  great  distance  to  preach  in  certain  districts, 
or  rounds  as  they  were  termed.  On  these  occasions, 
chapels,  private  houses,  market-places,  and  fields,  as  the 
circumstances  required,  became  the  scene  of  their  labour ; 
and  by  these  means,  the  gospel  was  introduced,  or  re- 
ligion revived,  in  many  places  where  now  there  ar§ 
flourishing  churches  and  numerous  hearers.  A  loud  cry 
of  irregularity  was  raised  against  their  efforts,  and  many 
attempts  were  made  to  intimidate  them  ;  but  they  perse- 
vered in  their  work,  and  received  the  approbation  of  their 
divine  Master.  The  times  demanded  just  the  agency 
which  Lady  Huntingdon  brought  into  existence ;  the 
people  were  perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge ;  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Establishment  failed  to  touch  the  mass  of 
the  people,  because  the  clergy  generally  were  negligent 
of  their  duties,  and  cared  little  for  the  salvation  of  souls ; 
and  the  impartial  verdict  of  history  will  honour  the  zeal 
and  courage  of  the  Countess  in  raising  an  Institution, 
which  sent  forth  missionaries  to  all  parts  of  the  kingdom, 
and  contributed,  in  no  slight  degree,  to  produce  that 
state  of  efficiency  and  prosperity  which  now  happily 
characterises  the  various  sections  of  the  Christian  Church. 
From  its  commencement  to  the  present  time,  the  College 
of  Lady  Huntingdon  has  furnished  some  of  the  most  de- 
voted and  useful  ministers  the  Church  of  Christ  can 
enumerate. 

The  Countess  spent  the  winter  of  1768  in  London,  and 


IN     LONDON.  287 

found  ample  opportunities  for  employing  her  talents  in 
the  metropolis,  besides  her  usual  correspondence  with 
her  ministers  and  students  to  regulate  the  supplies  at  her 
chapels.  John  Berridge  at  first  disapproved  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  College,  and  before  it  was  opened,  said, 
''  The  soil  you  have  chosen  is  proper  ;  "Welsh  mountains 
afford  a  brisk  air  for  a  student ;  and  the  rules  are  ex- 
cellent;— but  I  doubt  the  success  of  the  project,  and  fear 
it  will  occasion  you  more  trouble  than  all  your  other 
undertakings  besides."  After  its  successful  trial,  he 
changed  his  opinion,  and  in  a  letter,  dated  December 
80  th,  says, 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  the  plentiful  effusion  from  above 
on  Talgarth.  Jesus  has  now  baptized  your  College,  and 
thereby  shown  his  approbation  of  the  work.  You  may 
therefore  rejoice,  but  rejoice  with  trembling.  Faithful 
labourers  may  be  expected  from  thence ;  but  if  it  is 
Christ's  College,  a  Judas  will  certainly  be  found  amongst 
them.  I  believe  the  baptism  will  prove  a  lasting  one, 
but  I  believe  the  sensible  comfort  will  not  last  always, 
nor  long.  Neither  is  it  convenient,  in  the  present  state 
of  things ;  a  winter  is  as  much  wanted,  to  continue  the 
earth  fruitful,  as  a  summer.  If  the  grass  was  always 
growing,  it  would  soon  grow  to  nothing;  just  as  flowers, 
that  blow  much  and  long,  generally  blow  themselves  to 
death.  And  as  it  is  thus  with  the  ground,  so  is  it  with 
the  labourers  too.  AfiQictions,  desertions,  and  tempta- 
tions are  as  needful  as  consolations.  *  ^^  *  Jesus  has 
given  you  a  hand  and  a  heart  to  execute  great  things  for 
his  glory,  and,  therefore,  he  will  deal  you  out  a  suitable 
measure  of  afflictions,  to  keep  your  balance  steady.  Did 
Paul  labour  more  abundantly  than  all  his  brethren  ?  He 
had  more  abundant  stripes  than  them  all.  The  Master 
will  always  newshave  your  crown,  before  he  puts  a  fresh 
coronet  upon  your  head ;  and  I  expect  to  hear  of  a  six 
months'  illness,  when  I  hear  of  the  building  of  a  new 


288  MEMOIR     OF    LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

chapel.  I  cannot  comfort  you  with  saying,  that  I  think 
your  day  is  almost  spent ;  but  it  is  some  encouragement 
to  know  that  your  noon  is  past,  and  that  your  afternoon 
shadows  lengthen.  Go  on,  my  dear  Lady ;  build  and 
Cght  manfully,  and  believe  lustily.  Look  upwards, 
and  press  forwards.  Heaven's  eternal  hills  are  before 
you,  and  Jesus  stands  with  arms  wide  open  to  receive 
you.  One  hour's  sight  and  enjoyment  of  the  Bridegroom 
in  his  place  above  will  make  you  forget  all  your  troubles 
on  the  way." 

It  is  curious  to  notice  that  the  Lord  saw  fit  to  send 
Lady  Huntingdon  affliction  w^ith  almost  every  remarka- 
ble success.  Shortly  after  her  return  to  London,  she 
caught  a  severe  cold,  which  prostrated  her  strength,  and 
confined  her  to  her  bed  for  a  short  time.  Her  affliction 
was  aggravated  by  the  pressure  of  business,  and  the 
severe  anxiety  she  felt  for  the  welfare  of  her  congrega- 
tion. Her  town  residence  was  at  this  time  in  Portland 
Eow,  Cavendish  Square ;  a  noble  mansion,  which  was 
thrown  open  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The 
scenes  of  her  early  efforts  were  revived ;  and  the  nobility 
came  in  crowds  to  hear  Whitefield,  Wesley,  and  Eomainc; 
who  now  cordially  united  to  officiate  at  her  Ladyship's 
and  administer  the  sacrament.  She  could  not  help  think- 
ing of  by -gone  days ;  and  as  she  surveyed  the  circle  of 
her  friends,  and  contrasted  its  present  aspect  with  its 
former  appearance,  she  was  painfully  reminded  of  many 
who  had  been  cut  off,  and  whose  places  were  occupied  by 
fresh  hearers.  The  grace  of  God  had  spared  her;  the 
storms  of  trouble  had  raged  fiercely  around  her,  the 
lightning's  flash  hath  scathed  many  a  younger  brow,  and 
the  rough  waves  of  care  and  anxiety  had  overwhelmed 
some  of  the  mighty ;  but  she  still  stood  stedfast,  vigorous 
in  the  midst  of  decay,  and  active  even  while  prostrated 
by  weakness. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  ever  devising  some  new  way  in 


IN"    LONDON.  289 

whicli  slie  could  glorify  God,  and  serve  her  friends.  If 
anj  of  her  ministers  were  ill,  she  wrote  consoling  letters, 
and  invited  them  to  Bath  or  Brighton  to  recruit  their 
health.  She  thus  wrote  to  Mr.  Yenn,  and  offered  him 
her  house  at  Bath,  that  the  change  of  air,  rest,  and  the 
waters  might  renew  his  strength;  and  she  made  great 
efforts  to  obtain  the  living  of  Ashby-de-la-Zouch  for  his 
curate,  Mr.  Eyland.  Nor  did  she  confine  her  benevolent 
exertions  to  her  ministers.  Mr.  Yenn  introduced  to  her 
notice  the  Kev.  Abraham  Booth,,  pastor  of  a  small  Bap- 
tist Chapel  in  Nottinghamshire.  He  had  composed  a 
book  entitled  "  The  Reign  of  Grace, "  which  Mr.  Yenn 
perused  in  manuscript,  and  was  so  pleased  with  it  that^ 
by  his  recommendation,  it  was  published  and  obtained  a 
wide  circulation.  He  wrote  a  letter  to  her  Ladyship  upon 
the  subject,  and  stated  that  the  author  was  very  poor,  had 
seven  children,  and  had  never  been  educated  but  by  his 
own  exertions.  This  was  a  proper  object  to  call  forth 
the  sympathy  of  the  Countess.  As  soon  as  the  work 
was  published,  she  procured  a  number  of  copies,  which 
she  distributed  in  every  direction ;  and  she  also  recom- 
mended the  author  to  several  of  her  Baptist  friends  in 
London.  She  wrote  to  Dr.  Gifford,  and  sent  him  several 
copies,  with  the  request  that  he  would  use  his  influence 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  writer.  By  this  work,  Mr. 
Booth  was  introduced  to  the  congregation  in  Prescot 
street,  Good-man's-fields,  which  was  then  destitute  of  a 
miuister;  whence  he  afterwards  received  a  unanimous 
call,  and  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church,  February 
16th,  1769.  Lady  Huntingdon  attended  the  service,  and 
ever  after  maintained  a  friendly  interourse  with  Mr. 
Brook. 

Lady  Huntingdon  continued  in  London  till  the  end  of 
March,  1769.  Whitefield  was  almost  laid  aside  from  his 
duties.  He  managed  to  come  down  to  her  house ;  but  he 
was  unable  to  take  any  active  part  in  the  usual  services 

25 


290  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

there.  Wesley  perceived  a  great  change  creeping  over 
him.  "His  soul  appears  to  be  vigorous  still,  but  his 
body  is  sinking  apace."  He,  however,  rallied ;  and  was 
soon  able  again  to  preach  to  the  noble  circle  around  the 
Countess.  Mr.  Yenn  came  to  London  in  March,  and 
spent  most  of  his  time  at  her  residence,  where  he  fre- 
quently ofiSciated.  He  greatly  enjoyed  the  society  of  her 
Ladyship  and  Whitefield ;  and  before  he  left  the  metro- 
polis, a  special  service  was  held  in  the  drawing-room, 
which  was  attended  by  a  brilliant  circle  of  the  nobility. 
The  Countess  prevailed  upon  him  to  visit  a  condemned 
criminal,  the  son  of  godly  parents,  in  Ireland,  with  whom 
Mr.  Shirley  was  well  acquainted.  In  one  of  bis  letters, 
Mr.  Yenn  says,  "I  am  so  much  engaged  in  visiting  a 
condemned  man,  twelve  miles  from  town,  that  I  fear  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  leave  London  before  the  end  of  three 
weeks.  I  think  it  long:  but  my  friends  are  so  kind,  and 
make  so  much  of  my  company,  that  I  cannot  refuse  them. 
The  man  is  chained  to  the  floor  whilst  I  am  preaching  to 
him."  He  continued  his  labours  with  the  wretched  man, 
and  preached  in  the  goal  to  a  small  company. 

Towards  the  end  of  March,  the  Countess  journeyed  to 
Bath,  with  her  family  circle.  A  short  time  before  her  de- 
parture, she  requested  the  "Wesley s,  as  they  were  on  their 
way  to  Bristol,  to  preach  at  her  chapel.  John  Wesley 
then  departed  for  Ireland;  but  his  brother  remained  at 
Bath,  and  ofiiciated  in  her  Ladyship's  chapel,  and  some 
of  the  houses  of  the  nobility.  Soon  after  her  arrival, 
she  was  joined  by  Mr.  Shrubsole,  a  well-known  assistant 
of  Whitefield,  who  resided  with  her,  and  zealously  la- 
boured  to  save  souls.  Whitefield  had  recovered  from  his 
recent  illness,  and  resorted  to  his  usual  remedy  for  sick- 
ness— itinerancy.  Before  he  set  out,  he  wrote  to  the  Eev. 
Walter  Shirley,  who  had  offered  his  services  at  the  Ta- 
bernacle ;  and  in  his  letter,  dated  April  1st,  1769,  says, 
''Our  Almighty  Jesus  knows  how  to  build  his  temple  in 


THE     COUNTESS     AT     BATH.  291 

troublous  times.  His  work  prospers  in  the  bands  of  tlie 
elect  Countess,  who  is  gone  to  Bath,  much  recovered  from 
her  late  indisposition.  Worthy  Lady  Fanny  Shirley  pro- 
poses soon  to  follow,  in  order  to  reside  there.  Some 
more  Coronets,  I  hear,  are  likely  to  be  laid  at  the  Ee- 
deemer's  feet.  They  glitter  gloriously  when  set  in  and 
surrounded  by  a  crown  of  thorns^  He  paid  a  short  visit 
to  Bath — and  it  was  the  last  he  was  permitted  to  make — 
and  then  set  off  on  an  excursion  to  Bristol,  Frome,  Chip- 
penham, Dursley,  Eodboroiigh,  Gloucester  and  Chelten- 
ham, where  his  spirit  was  revived  with  the  glorious 
scenes  he  witnessed.  To  most  of  these  places  he  was 
accompanied  by  the  Countess  and  Lady  Ann  Erskine. 
His  noble  patroness  then  little  thought  that  this  was  the 
last  visit  she  was  to  pay  to  these  spots  in  the  company  of 
her  chaplain.  He  was  fast  ripening  for  glory  ;  his  sphere 
of  activity  would  speedily  be  changed  from  earth  to  hea- 
ven ;  and  soon  the  joyful  welcome  from  his  Master  would 
greet  him,  and  be  re-echoed  by  the  crowds  of  happy 
spirits,  Avhom  he  had  brought  into  the  waj^s  of  eternal 
life. 

At  the  end  of  May,  Lady  Huntingdon  proceeded  to 
Tunbridge  Wells  with  Lady  Ann,  Lady  Buchan,  and 
Miss  Orton,  to  arrange  the  opening  of  the  chapel  she  had 
erected  in  that  place.  As  her  efforts  had  been  greatly 
blessed,  and  the  people  were  anxious  toenjoy  the  preach- 
ing of  her  ministers,  she  procured  a  favourable  spot  of 
ground  near  her  house,  and  erected  a  neat  and  commodi- 
ous place  of  worship.  She  secured  the  services  of  her 
veteran  chaplain,  George  Whitefield,  and  of  a  young 
Irish  clergyman,  who  about  this  period  was  added  to  the 
roll  of  her  honoured  ministers.  The  Eev.  Eichard  De 
Courcy  was  descended  from  an  ancient  and  respectable 
family  in  L'eland,  and  had  been  educated  at  Trinity  Col- 
lege, Dublin.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he  took  his 
deacon's  orders  as  curate  to  Mr.  Shirley,  and  rapidly 


292  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

gained  great  popularity  by  his  lively  address,  and  com- 
manding talents.  On  one  occasion  he  was  invited  to 
preach  in  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Dublin,  where  the  fame 
of  his  oratory  gathered  a  crowded  congregation.  While 
the  prayers  Avere  being  read,  the  pulpit  was  seized  by 
order  of  the  metropolitan,  to  prevent  De  Courcy  preach- 
ing to  the  people.  His  ardent  spirit  could  not  thus 
tamely  submit  to  be  crushed  by  the  order  of  one  who 
cared  nothing  for  the  people;  he,  therefore,  intimated 
his  intention  of  preaching  in  the  open-air,  and  immedi- 
ately withdrew  into  the  church -yard.  He  was  followed 
by  the  congregation ;  and  mounting  a  tombstone,  the  in- 
trepid  man  boldly  proclaimed  the  glad  tidings  of  salva- 
tion to  the  excited  audience.  His  zeal  and  spirit  formed 
a  strange  contrast  to  what  was  manifested  around  him, 
and  stirred  up  a  host  of  malignant  enemies.  He  had 
committed  the  unpardonable  sin  of  daring  to  preach  the 
gospel,  and,  therefore,  experienced  the  heavy  hand  of 
episcopal  rule.  The  Bishop  was  offended  with  him,  and 
refused  him  a  license  and  priest's  orders.  His  courage, 
howevei;,  never  for  one  moment  forsook  him ;  and  though 
he  was  publicly  insulted,  and  shut  out  from  every  hope 
of  preferment,  there  were  a  few  friends  who  admired  his 
character,  and  rallied  around  him.  When  Mr.  Shirley 
represented  his  case  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  she  immedi- 
ately applied  to  the  Bishop  of  Lichfield  to  ordain  him, 
and  sent  him  an  urgent  invitation  to  come  to  England, 
and  aid  her  in  the  great  work  in  which  she  was  engaged. 
He  accordingly  came  to  London,  waited  on  Whitefield  at 
the  Tabernacle,  and  became  a  useful  and  laborious  minis- 
ter in  her  Ladyship's  Connexion.  When  he  was  intro- 
duced to  Whitefield,  the  latter  took  off  his  cap,  and 
placed  his  hand  on  a  deep  scar  on  his  head,  and  said, 
"Sir,  this  wound  I  got  in  your  country  for  jDreaching 
Christ."  These  were  the  two  celebrated  preachers  who 
came  to  Tunbridge  Wells  to  open  her  Ladyship's  chapeL 


REV.     RICHAKD     DE     CO  U  ROY.  293 

The  one  had  grown  old  in  the  service  of  his  Master,  and 
was  soon  to  lay  aside  the  weapons  of  his  warfare;  the 
other  had  just  entered  the  ranks,  full  of  fire  and  energy, 
and  was  prepared  to  leap,  sword  in  hand,  into  the  midst 
of  the  enemy,  and  gain  a  glorious  victory. 

For  some  time  before  the  opening  of  the  chapel,  the 
Countess  was  diligently  occupied  in  sending  invitations 
to  persons  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  also  in  more  dis- 
tant places,  requesting  their  attendance  on  the  joyful 
occasion.  Many  responded  to  her  call;  and  a  large 
number  of  persons  flocked  into  Tunbridge  Wells.  At 
an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  they  assembled  in  front  of 
her  Ladyship's  residence,  and  sang  their  morning  praises, 
and  offered  their  morning  petitions.  The  Countess  was 
awakened  by  their  singing,  and  experienced  great  plea- 
sure in  seeing  the  people  around  her  house,  where  they 
remained  till  the  commencement  of  the  public  services. 
These  services  were  held  on  Sunday,  July  23rd,  1769. 
As  soon  as  the  doors  of  the  chapel  were  opened,  every 
part  of  the  place  was  thronged,  and  numbers  crowded 
around  the  doors  and  the  building.  De  Courcy  read  the 
Liturgy,  and  Whitefield  preached  from  Gen.  xxviii.,  17. 
''How  dreadful  is  this  place!  this  is  none  other  but  the 
house  of  God,  and  this  is  the  gate  of  heaven.  "  The  con- 
gregation was  far  too  large  to  be  accommodated  in  the 
building;  and  Whitefield,  like  his  great  Master,  preached 
in  the  open-air,  from  a  mound  in  the  court  before  the 
chapel.  This  remarkable  spot,  around  which  cluster  many 
hallowed  associations,  in  still  preserved:  and  when  stand- 
ing where  Whitefield  stood,  imagination  pictures  to  the 
mind  the  form  of  this  gifted  preacher,  stretching  out  his 
hands,  and  uttering  some  of  those  impassioned  bursts  of 
oratory  by  which  he  moved  the  masses  to  tears,  or  thril- 
led them  with  ecstatic  joy.  His  sermon  on  this  occasion 
is  said  to  have  been  a  perfect  display  of  oratory.  His 
words  flowed  like  a  graceful  stream,   and  rushed  like  a 

25* 


294  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

foaming  torrent;  Lis  face,  lit  np  witli  heavenly  fervour, 
was  even  more  expressive  that  liis  language ;  his  voice 
sounded  like  the  varied  tones  of  music ;  and  his  action 
formed  the  index  of  the  passions  which  were  playing  upon 
his  mind  and  heart.  His  prayer  was  most  touching  and 
overpowering;  and  fervently  did  he  supplicate  that  many 
sinners  might  acknowledge  that  chapel  as  the  place  of 
their  spiritual  nativity.  His  petition  was  not  in  vain ; 
numbers  have  been  born  there ;  and  at  the  last  great  day 
it  will  be  seen  how  many  will  acknowledge  the  debt  of 
obligation  they  owe  to  the  noble  Countess  for  erecting  a 
place  of  worship  at  Tunbridge  Wells.  In  the  evening, 
De  Courcy  preached  from  Rev.  i.,  18,  '^I  am  he  that  liv- 
eth,  and  was  dead,  and,  behold,  I  am  alive  for  evermore. 
Amen ;  and  have  the  keys  of  hell  and  of  death ;"  and 
Whitefield  gave  a  general  exhortation.  The  next  day 
the  Sacrament  was  administered  by  De  Courcy,  and 
Whitefield  gave  a  solemn  and  impressive  charge  to  the 
communicants  from  1  Thes.  ii.,  11,  12.  "  Such  a  sacra- 
ment," says  a  lady  who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  the  Wells, 
"  as  I  never  was  present  at  before ;  I  had  such  a  view  of 
Jesus  Christ  crucified,  that  I  seemed  as  if  caught  up  into 
the  third  heaven  to  hear  things  unutterable." 


TUNBKIDGE     WELLS     CHAPEL.  295 


CHAPTER  XYII.    A.D.    1769—1770. 

THE  EEV.  K.  DE  COURCY. — HIS  LABOUES  IN"  SUSSEX. — TRE- 
VECCA  COLLEGE. — THE  CLASSICAL  TUTOR. — THE  ANNI- 
VERSARY SERVICES. — JOHN  BERRIDGE. — LIBERALITY  OF 
LADY  HUNTINGDON. — MR.  VENN  AT  BATH. — THE  STAR 
OF  THE  FIRST  MAGNITUDE.--ITINERANT  LABOURS. — 
LADY  HUNTINGDON  IN  LONDON. — HER  TRIALS. — STATE 
OF  HER  CONGREGATIONS. — REV.  VINCENT  PERRONET. — 
THE  JOURNEYINGS  OF  THE   COUNTESS. 

After  the  dedication  of  the  chapel  at  Tunbridge  Wells, 
Lady  Huntingdon  proceeded  to  Lewes,  accompanied  by 
Mr.  De  Courcy,  who  preached  twice  to  very  large  con- 
gregations in  the  open  air.  Her  Ladyship  then  went  to 
Brighton,  where  she  made  but  a  short  stay  ;  and  leaving- 
De  Courcy  to  supply  the  chapel  there  and  at  Oathall,  she 
returned  to  Tunbridge  Wells.  This  devoted  minister 
laboured  with  great  zeal  and  success.  He  did  not  con- 
fine himself  to  the  usual  Sabbath  duties,  and  week-day 
services;  but  occasionally  went  from  house  to  house, 
teaching  the  people.  He  also  held  many  society-meet- 
i  ngs  for  prayer,  and  for  encouraging  the  members  to  per- 
severe in  the  divine  life.  The  county  of  Sussex  received 
great  attention,  and  was  traversed  by  Mr.  De  Courcy  on 
his  errand  of  mercy.  His  soul  was  in  his  work;  and  in 
a  long  letter  to  the  Countess,  he  narrates  the  trials  and 
encouragements  he  met  with  in  his  travels.  Accompa- 
nied by  many  of  his  friends,  he  went  to  Hurst,  a  town 
five  miles  from  Dichling,  where  he  anticipated  very  se- 
vere persecution.     As  soon  as  he  entered  the  streets,  the 


296         ME  MO  IK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

whole  town  was  in  commotion^  as  if  invaded  by  some 
foreign  foe;  and  it  was  with  much  difficult j  he  could  pro- 
cure a  chair  to  stand  on.  He  had  not  proceeded  far  with 
the  service,  before  some  laughed,  some  shouted,  some 
brought  out  a  table  and  liquor,  and  began  to  sing  around 
it,  and  others  blew  a  horn ;  and  while  be  was  inviting 
the  people  to  come  and  partake  of  the  water  of  life  free- 
ly, a  poor  man  advanced  towards  him  with,  a  mug  of  ale, 
and  begged  he  would  drink  heartily  of  that.  He  perse- 
vered in  his  discourse,  and  by  his  firmness  silenced  many  ; 
but  at  length,  the  uproar  was  so  great,  that  he  was 
obliged  to  desist,  and  conclude  with  a  hymn.  Still  good 
was  done  there ;  many  were  deeply  impressed ;  and  one 
person  in  the  town  offered  a  part  of  his  house  for  De 
Courcy  to  preacli  in. 

While  at  Brighton,  he  received  a  letter  from  a  person 
living  in  a  place  called  Hellingby,  twenty  miles  distant, 
representing  the  parish  as  a  very  dark  and  heathenish 
spot,  without  a  minister.  De  Courcy  thought  this  was  a 
fine  opportunity  to  introduce  the  gospel  into  the  place ; 
be,  therefore,  waited  on  the  person,  intending  to  preach 
the  following  Sabbath.  The  man,  however,  had  totally 
misrepresented  the  state  of  things,  and  refused  to  have 
anything  to  do  with  a  service  in  the  parish  ;  and  as  the 
rector  was  at  home,  De  Courcy  called  upon  him,  with  the 
hope  of  being  able  to  secure  the  church  ;  but  when  he 
heard  that  he  was  connected  with  Lady  Huntingdon,  he 
declined  to  allow  him  the  use  of  his  pulpit.  The  mis- 
sionary departed  with  saddened  feelings ;  and  accompanied 
by  a  few  friends,  went  to  Laughton,  where  he  stood  up 
under  a  branching  venerable  tree,  and  preached  to  a 
small  but  very  attentive  congregation.  The  people  le- 
joiced  to  hear  the  word  of  life,  and  begged  that  he  would 
come  again. 

''  The  word  in  Sussex,"  says  De  Courcy,  ''  calls  aloud 
for  more  labourers.     It  is  impossible  for  me  to  give  your 


SUSSEX.  297 

Ladyship  any  idea  of  the  universal  thirst  there  is  for  the 
gospel,  on  every  side  of  us,  in  the  country  parts.  Every 
time  I  preach  at  Oathall,  people  come  to  me  and  cry  out, 
like  persons  famishing  with  hunger,  and  begging  a  morsel 
of  bread,  '  Oh,  Sir,  ivont  you  come  to  such  a  place  ?  '  Indeed 
1  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  supply  every  place ;  but 
my  calls  are  so  various  that  it  is  quite  impracticable.  I 
think  Mr.  Harman  computed  ten  or  twelve  different  parts 
to  which  we  have  been  invited.  I  pray  that  the  Lord 
may  send  us  some  help.  I  think  Sussex  seems  to  be  on 
fire ;  and  though  the  devil  tries  to  extinguish  the  sacred 
flame,  yet,  glory  be  to  God,  it  receives  additional  strength 
from  every  fresh  flood  poured  on  it,  and  burns  the  brighter. 
The  Lord  is  reviving  his  work  in  the  hearts  of  some  here 
who  have  lost  ground ;  he  blesses  us  in  every  meeting. 
Yesterday  was  one  of  the  days  of  the  Son  of  Man. 
Oathall  church  was  as  full  as  it  could  hold,  and  the  Lord 
was  in  the  midst  of  us.  The  word  was  as  a  fire.  I 
preached  at  eight  in  the  morning,  five  miles  from  Oathall 
— at  eleven,  at  Oathall — at  six,  at  Brighthelmstone  ;  and 
the  Lord  gave  me  such  strength  of  body  and  spirit,  that 
he  enabled  me  to  go  through  the  whole,  like  a  giant  re- 
freshed with  new  wine.  I  really  felt  no  more  lassitude  of 
spirit  or  fatigue  of  body  than  if  I  had  not  spoken  a  word 
the  whole  day.  That  promise,  '  As  thy  day  is,  so  shall 
thy  strength  be '  was  my  support,  and  was  literally  ful- 
filled to  me.  0  my  Lady,  what  a  Master  do  we  serve  ! 
What  an  ample  reward  does  he  give  us  even  here  !  How 
sweet  is  his  service  I " 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  was  rejoicing  at  the  success 
which  was  attending  her  efforts  in  Sussex,  she  was  antici- 
pating with  great  pleasure  the  first  anniversary  services 
of  her  college  in  AYalcs.  Mr.  Easterbrook  does  not  ap- 
pear to  have  remained  head-master  of  the  Institution  for 
any  lengthened  time ;  for  before  the  anniversary,  theEev. 
John  Jones,  who  had  been  one  of  the  masters  of  Kings- 


298         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

wood  school,  and  had  withdrawn  from  Wesley's  Connex- 
ion, made  application  for  the  appointment  to  Mr.  Fletcher. 
In  the  correspondence  which  ensued,  Mr.  Fletcher  pre- 
sents to  Mr.  Jones  an  account  of  the  duties  and  qualifi- 
cations of  the  head  tutor.     He  says : — 

"  The  first  and  grand  point  to  be  kept  in  view  at  Lady 
Huntingdon's  College  is  to  maintain,  and  grow  in,  the 
spirit  of  faith  and  power  that  breathes  through  the  Acts 
of  the  Apostles,  and  was  exemplified  in  the  lives  of  the 
primitive  Christians.  The  first  aad  grand  qualification 
required  in  a  person  called  to  be  at  the  head  of  such  a 
College  is,  then,  a  degree  of  faith  and  power  from  above, 
with  an  entire  devotedness  to  God  and  his  cause.  The 
master  who  is  there  at  present  seems,  on  account  of  his 
youth,  to  be  deficient  in  point  of  Christian  experience. 
Nor  is  he  a  proper  master  of  the  Greek,  nor  even  the 
harder  classics,  so  that  he  can  hardly  maintain  his  superi- 
ority over  those  who  read  Cicero  and  Horace.  Whetlier 
this  inconveniency,  sir,  would  be  avoided,  suppose  you. 
were  to  succeed  him,  I  cannot  judge  by  your  letter.  He 
is  also  unacquainted  with  Divinity  and  the  Sciences,  of 
which  it  is  proper  he  should  give  the  students  some  idea ; 
and  how  far  you  may  excel  him  in  these  points,  sir,  is 
not  in  %iy  power  to  determine.  He  hath  twenty-five 
guineas  a  year,  with  his  board,  room,  and  washing.  I 
dare  say  the  generous  foundress  would  not  hesitate  to 
raise  the  salary  of  a  master  of  superior  merit,  though  she 
hopes  none  would  undertake  that  province  for  the  sake 
of  money.  "^  ^  * 

"  The  variety  of  classes  in  the  College  demands  great 
assiduity  and  diligence  in  the  master.  I  would  not, 
therefore,  advise  any  one  to  engage  without  a  proper 
trial.  I  have  begged  of  Lady  Huntingdon  not  to  fix 
upon  a  master,  till  she  had  allowed  him  to  look  about 
him,  and  see  how  he  liked  the  place,  people,  and  business; 
and  as  you  properly  observe,  sir,  it  would  be  improper 


THE     CLASSICAL     TUTOR.  299 

to  engage,  to  repent  of  the  undertaking,  I  think  that,  if 
upon  consulting  with  the  Lord  in  prayer,  and  with  Mr. 
Maxfiekl  in  conversation,  you  find  your  heart  free  to  em- 
brace so  peculiar  an  opportunity  of  being  useful  to  your 
generation,  it  might  be  best  to  come  and  see  how  you 
like  the  business,  and  how  it  agrees  with  you;  and 
should  not  matters  prove  agreeable  on  either  side,  I  dare 
say  Lady  Huntingdon  will  pay  your  travelling  expenses 
to  Talgarth  and  back  again." 

The  Countess  left  Tunbridge  Wells  in  August,  for  the 
purpose  of  attending  the  first  anniversary  of  the  opening 
of  her  College  at  Trevecca.  For  several  weeks  previous 
to  that  event,  she  was  busily  engaged  in  making  prepara- 
tions for  the  approaching  services,  and  inviting  many 
ministers  to  be  present  and  take  part  in 'the  proceedings. 
The  solemn  services  extended  over  several  days ;  and  it 
may  be  interesting  to  many  to  know  the  character  of  the 
engagements.  ]\'[essrs.  Fletcher,  Daniel  Eowlands,  and 
W.  Williams  arrived  at  the  College  on  the  18th;  and  on 
the  following  morning,  a  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr. 
Eowlands  to  a  large  congregation  from  the  words  ''Are 
there  few  that  be  saved  ?"  In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Fletcher 
addressed  the  communicants  at  the  Lord's  Supper  and 
the  spectators,  and  produced  a  deep  impression  upon 
them  by  the  warmth  and  power  of  his  appeals.  This 
was  on  Saturday,  when  the  people  were  crowding  in  from 
the  distant  parts  of  tlie  country  to  attend  the  services  on 
the  Sabbath.  Howell  Harris  perceived  them  congregating 
in  the  open  court;  and  while  those  within  the  chapel 
were  communing  with  their  Lord,  he  stood  up  among 
the  crowd,  and  addressed  them  from  the  words,  "The 
time  is  come  that  judgment  must  begin  at  the  house  of 
God." 

Early  on  the  Sabbath  day,  the  roads  and  by-ways  to 
Trevecca  presented  a  very  animated  and  picturesque  ap- 
pearance.    Little  groups  of  Welsh  people  were  hurrying 


SOO  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

to  the  house  of  God,  full  of  expectation  and  joy,  and 
talking  of  the  wonderful  Lady  and  her  zealous  ministers. 
The  chapel  was  incapable  of  containing  one-half  of  the 
people ;  they,  therefore,  assembled  in  the  court ;  and  with 
the  rich  blue  curtain  of  heaven  for  their  canopy,  they 
worshiped  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth.  At  ten,  Mr. 
Fletcher  read  the  Liturgy ;  after  which,  Mr.  Shirley 
preached  a  glowing  sermon  on  the  text,  "  Acquaint  thy- 
self now  with  him  and  be  at  peace."  At  one,  the  sacra- 
ment was  administered  in  the  chapel,  when  the  commu- 
nicants were  addressed  by  two  ministers,  Eowlands  and 
Fletcher,  and  the  spectators  exhorted  to  decide  at  once 
for  Christ  by  Mr.  Williams.  In  the  afternoon,  the 
people  again  congregated  in  the  court ;  and  Mr.  Fletcher 
addressed  them  from  the  words  of  the  Apostle,  ^'I  am 
not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ."  There  is  nothing 
the  Welsh  people  love  more  than  to  hear  the  gospel  in 
their  own  native  tongue ;  when,  therefore,  Mr.  Eowlands 
rose  to  speak  to  them  in  the  Welsh  language,  their  eyes 
glistened  with  delight,  and  their  hearts  were  filled  with 
joy  and  gratitude.  From  this  time  to  the  anniversary 
day,  the  people  continued  to  arrive  at  Trevecca  from  the 
surrounding  country ;  and  each  day  there  was  preaching 
twice  by  the  clergymen,  and  lively  addresses  by  Howell 
Harris  and  some  of  the  Welsh  exhorters.  On  Wednesday 
John  Wesley  arrived  at  the  College,  accompanied  by  Mr 
Howell  Davis  and  Mr.  Peter  Williams,  of  Caermarthen. 
He  says,  "  I  preached  in  the  morning  to  as  many  as  her 
Ladyship's  chapel  could  well  contain,  which  is  extremely 
neat,  or  rather  elegant,  as  is  the  dining-room,  the  College, 
and  all  the  house.  About  nine,  Howell  Harris  desired 
me  to  give  a  short  exhortation  to  his  family.  I  did  so, 
and  then  went  back  to  my  Lady's,  and  laid  me  down  in 
peace." 

At  length  the  long  expected  anniversary  day  daAvned 
August  24th,  1769.    The  people  were  soon  stirring,  and 


THE     ANNIVERSARY     SERVICES.  801 

flocked  towards  tlie  spot  where  so  many  distinguished 
ministers  of  Christ  were  congregated  together.  At  an 
early  hour  in  the  morning,  the  Lord's  Supper  was  ad- 
ministered by  Messrs.  Wesley  and  Shirley,  first  to  the 
clergymen ;  then  to  the  students ;  and  afterwards  to  the 
Countess  of  Huntingdon,  the  Countess  of  Buchan,  Lady 
Ann  Erskiue,  Miss  Orton,  and  the  other  members  of  the 
family.  The  large  concourse  of  people  filled  the  chapel 
and  the  court :  and  at  ten  the  solemn  services  commenced. 
Messrs.  Davies  and  Eowlands  read  prayers,  and  appro- 
priate lessons  selected  for  the  occasion  ;  after  which  Mr. 
Fletcher  preached  one  of  his  earnest  spiritual  discourses ; 
and  when  he  had  finished,  Mr.  W.  Williams  addressed 
tlie  people  in  Welsh,  with  that  peculiar  fire  and  energy 
which  they  greatly  admire.  This  service  lasted  till  nearly 
two  o'clock,  when  the  clergymen  dined  with  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon and  her  friends,  and  the  people  were  supplied 
with  bread  and  meat  in  the  grounds  of  the  mansion  at  her 
Ladyship's  expense.  At  three,  the  services  were  re- 
sumed; when  John  Wesley  preached  to  the  people  in  the 
open-air,  and  was  followed  by  Mr.  Fletcher.  The  con- 
gregation was  then  dismissed,  as  manj^  of  the  homes  were 
at  a  great  distance ;  and  the  interesting  proceedings  of 
the  day  closed  with  a  devotional  meeting — a  love  feast — 
where  several  ministers  gave  short  and  appropriate  ex- 
hortations, and  supplicated  the  divine  blessing.  There 
were  eight  clergymen  present  on  this  occasion. 

Thus  terminated  the  first  anniversary  of  the  useful 
college  which  Lady  Huntingdon  had  founded.  It  was  a 
time  long  remembered  by  the  people,  and  is  still  spoken 
of  with  rapture  by  those  who  have  had  narrated  to  them 
by  their  forefathers  the  exciting  scenes  of  these  days. 
It  was  a  time  too  when  Christ  manifested  his  presence,  and 
sent  down  his  blessing  in  an  especial  manner.  The 
power  was  mighty  which  attracted,  and  held  together  for 
several  days,  the  large  numbers  to  hear  the  glad  tidings 

26 


802  MEMOIR     OF    LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

of  salvation ;  and  the  grace  of  God  was  conspicuous  in 
calling  many  out  of  darkness  into  light,  and  making 
them  the  children  of  God.  Kone  retired  from  the  ser- 
vices without  receiving  a  spiritual  blessing.  Love  was 
breathed  into  each  heart,  zeal  was  enkindled  in  each 
breast;  devotion  was  inflamed  on  each  tongue,  and  hea- 
venly-mindedness  impressed  upon  all.  Every  soul  was 
contented  and  happy,  and  joined  in  the  songs  of  Zion 
with  voice  and  heart.  Lady  Huntingdon  says,  ''  Though 
necessarily  much  hurried  with  outward  things,  my  mind 
was  preserved  in  peace ;  I  enjoj'-ed  a  divine  composure,  a 
heavenly  serenity  of  soul,  while  my  communion  was 
with  the  Father  and  the  Son.  Words  fail  to  describe  the 
holy  triumph  with  which  the  great  congregation  sung, 

'Captain  of  tliine  enlisted  host,  &c.'  " 

For  several  days  after,  there  was  public  preaching 
every  daj^,  until  Messrs.  Shirley  and  Fletcher  left,  and 
Lady  Huntingdon  removed  to  Bath.  She  looked  back 
upon  the  first  year  of  the  existence  of  the  College  with 
great  delight  and  gratitude.  She  had  been  enabled  to 
realize  her  cherished  plan,  and  had  witnessed  the  benefi- 
cial effects  of  her  labours.  The  students  had  been  har- 
moniously studying  and  preaching;  and  God  had  hon- 
oured their  efforts.  Their  piety  grew  with  their  know- 
ledge ;  their  zeal  increased  with  their  opportunities ;  and 
the  example  of  Lady  Huntingdon  banished  from  their 
minds  every  selfish  and  intolerant  suggestion.  Their 
services  were  appreciated  and  sought  after ;  and  she  re- 
joiced to  know  they  were  made  useful  in  Christ's  service. 
This  was  the  noble  purpose  of  her  life.  She  says,  "  0 
that  I  may  be  more  and  more  useful  to  the  souls  of  my 
fellow-creatures.  I  want  to  be  every  moment  all  life^  all 
zeal,  all  activity  for  God,  and  ever  on  the  stretch  for 
closer  communion  with  him.  Isij  soul  pants  to  live  more 
to  Him,^and  to  be  more  holy  in  heart  and  life,  that  all 


JOHN     BERRIDGE.  303 

my  nature  may  show  forth  the  glories  of  the  Lamb." 
What  finer  specimen  of  lofty,  spiritual  heroism  is  there, 
than  in  this  glowing  self- con  seer  at  ion,  and  panting  after 
holiness,  which  Lady  Huntingdon  manifested ! 

Previous  to  the  anniversary,  she  wrote  to  John  Ber- 
ridge  and  invited  him  to  Trevecca.  As  his  health  was 
at  this  time  very  delicate,  and  prevented  him  attending 
to  the  duties  of  his  parish,  she  thought  that  a  change  of 
air  would  be  beneficial  to  him.  He  was,  however,  obli- 
ged to  decline  the  invitation  from  his  inability  to  bear 
the  fatigue  of  so  long  a  journey ;  but  he  requested  her 
to  assist  him  with  the  services  of  one  of  her  students. 
His  friend,  Mr.  Hicks,  had  occasionally  helped  him ;  but 
his  parishioners  were  dissatisfied  with  his  preaching. 
Mr.  Glascott  was  accordingly  sent  to  Everton  to  render 
what  assistance  he  could  to  John  Berridge.  His  services 
were  very  acceptable  to  the  people,  and  gratifying  to  Mr. 
Berridge,  who  wrote  to  her  Ladyship,  and  stated  how 
much  pleased  he  was  with  him,  and  that  if  she  would 
spare  him  for  six  weeks,  Mr.  Glascott  would  be  able  in 
that  time  to  visit  all  his  churches.  In  his  own  peculiar 
style,  he  says,  Mr.  Glascott  has  "not  a  dozing  face,  with 
a  hoarse  doctrinal  throat ;  but  a  right  sharp  countenance, 
with  a  clear  gospel  pipe." 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  sincerely  attached  to  this  devo- 
ted clergyman,  notwithstanding  his  eccentricities.  His 
letters  to  her  are  frequently  couched  in  the  most  sin- 
gular and  extraordinary  language.  They  sparkle  with 
original  figures,  and  witty  sayings,  and  convey  many 
powerful  thoughts  and  practical  suggestions,  which  ren- 
der them  peculiarly  valuable.  On  one  occasion,  when 
he  excused  his  declining  her  invitation  to  preach  in  one 
of  her  chapels,  he  pleaded  that  he  had  no  coat  fit  to  ap- 
pear in  out  of  his  own  parish,  and  requested  her  ''to 
patch  his  coat  with  a  small  bank  bill."  The  Countess, 
with  that  noble  generosity  which  characterized  her  heart, 


30-i         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTJNGDOX. 

wrote  to  him  by  return  of  post,  and  inclosed  a  bank  post 
bill.  The  greatest  difficulty  connected  with  her  liberality 
was  to  know  how  to  refuse.  Captain  Scott  said  that  she 
was  so  generous  and  bountiful  that  she  actually  gave  to 
every  one  who  asked  her,  until  she  was  destitute.  At 
length  it  became  necessary  to  conceal  cases  from  her.  On 
one  occasion,  the  Captain  with  a  few  ministers,  having  a 
case  presented  to  them,  and  believing  that  the  good 
Countess  would  give  though  she  could  ill  afford  it,  resol- 
ved not  to  acquaint  her  with  it.  By  some  means  how- 
ever, she  became  acquainted  with  it,  and  with  the  combi- 
nation of  her  ministers  to  conceal  it ;  and  she  was  so 
excessively  grieved,  that,  the  moment  she  saw  Captain 
Scott,  she  burst  into  tears,  and  exclaimed,  '^I  should 
never  have  thought  you  would  have  acted  thus.  I  have 
never  taken  anything  ill  at  your  hands  before ;  but  this, 
I  think,  is  very  unkind ! "  She  then  gave  one  hundred 
pounds  to  the  case. 

The  active  spirit  of  Lady  Huntingdon  could  not  per- 
mit her  to  remain  long  in  one  place.  Every  locality, 
where  she  had  introduced  the  gospel,  was  engraven  on 
her  heart,  and  present  to  her  mental  eye ;  and  her  anxi- 
ety for  the  welfare  of  her  Societies  led  her  to  visit  them, 
and  ascertain  their  condition.  Early  in  September,  the 
Countess  left  Trevecca,  and  made  a  wide  circuit  on  her 
way  to  Bath.  She  spent  a  few  days  at  Berwick  that  she 
might  encourage  her  friends  there  to  be  earnest  in  the 
service  of  Christ;  and  passed  through  Kidderminster, 
Worcester,  and  Gloucester  to  ascertain  the  state  of  these 
localities.  At  Bristol  she  was  met  by  John  Wesley,  and 
visited  the  Kingwood  School,  and  the  Society  in  con- 
nexion with  Whitefield.  On  the  13th,  she  summoned  a 
large  gathering  of  evangelical  clergymen  to  breakfast  at 
her  house,  and  to  converse  on  the  best  means  of  increas- 
ing the  revival  of  true  religion.  It  was  a  sweet  and  hal- 
lowed season ;  and  after  their  deliberations,  the  Eev.  Mr 


MR.    VENN     AT     BATH.  oOo 

Hart  administered  the  sacrament,  and  John  AYesley 
preached  on  the  words,  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ."  Leaving  Wesley  at  Bristol,  Lady  Hunting- 
don, with  Lady  Buchan,  Lady  Ann  Erskine,  and  Miss 
Orton,  proceeded  to  Bath.  The  Countess  was  grateful  to 
God  for  the  health  she  now  enjoyed,  and  for  his  pre- 
serving care  over  her  amid  the  dangers  she  was  exposed 
to ;  and  though  there  were  still  many  things  to  annoy 
her,  and  to  retard  her  work,  she  felt  greatly  encouraged 
to  persevere,  by  the  success  which  had  already  crowned 
her  efforts.  She  says,  "  The  work  is  the  Lord's ;  He  is 
with  me ;  He  upholds  my  feeble  hands,  and  condescends 
to  help  my  humble  plans  for  the  promotion  of  his  glory, 
and  the  eternal  good  of  my  fellow  immortals." 

Bath  was  the  most  important  sphere  of  Lady  Hunting- 
don's operations ;  and  during  this  season  was  unusually 
crowded.  Lady  Fanny  Shirley,  Lady  Gertrude  Hotham, 
the  Countess  of  Buchan,  the  Marchioness  of  Lothian 
and  several  other  pious  persons  among  the  nobility  now 
resided  in  the  city,  and  attracted  a  large  circle  of  friends 
around  them.  Great  numbers  of  the  illustrious  visitors 
attended  her  chapel  (where  Mr.  Venn  preached)  and  not 
a  few  of  them  were  induced  to  pay  attention  to  their 
spiritual  concerns.  Lady  Huntingdon  engaged  Mr.  Yenn 
to  preach  there.  Early  in  October,  he  left  Hudders- 
field  for  that  purpose;  and,  like  his  divine  Master, 
preached  wherever  he  could  obtain  a  pulpit  on  his  way. 
Among  other  places,  he  visited  ^Northampton  to  console 
Mr.  Madan,  who  was  sorrowing  over  the  loss  of  his  son ; 
Eeading,  where  his  friend  Dr.  Talbot  was  labouring  with 
great  success;  and  Pewsey,  to  visit  his  zealous  coadjutor 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  Mr.  Townsend.  He  arrived 
safely  in  Bath,  and  found  his  ''dear  son  in  the  gospel," 
Mr.  Shirley,  who  was  to  share  with  him  the  work  of  the 
sanctuar3\  His  labours  were  very  acceptable  to  the  peo- 
ple; and   ill  his  letters  to  his  friends,   he   narrates  the 

2C* 


806    MEMOIR  OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON. 

success  lie  met  with  in  preaching  to  the  rich  and  mighty. 
In  one  letter,  dated  Bath,  November  4th,  he  says  : — 

''  On  Sunday  evening  last  there  was  such  a  crowded 
audience,  Mr.  Shirley  told  me,  as  there  never  was  before. 
The  chapel  doors  were  set  open,  and  people  stood  in  the 
court  as  far  as  the  houses.  That  full  description  of  the 
way  of  salvation,  and  the  object  of  the  believer's  hope ; 
the  condition  of  his  enemies,  and  the  glory  of  his  people, 
in  the  concluding  verses  of  Isaiah  xlv.  was  my  subject. 
Happily  I  am  much  alone !  though  solicited  to  spend  ray 
time  with  one  family  after  another  all  the  day.  You 
may  judge  of  this,  when  I  tell  you  I  have  read  two 
quarto  volumes,  with  other  books,  and  written  nearly 
twenty  letters,  without  intermitting  my  study  of  the 
ever-blessed  Book." 

In  another  letter,  written  the  day  after,  he  says : — ■ 

"  I  am  favoured  with  the  pleasing  sight,  and  with  the 
animating  example,  of  a  soul  inflamed  with  love  to  a  cru- 
cified God — that  stumbling-block  to  them  that  perish. 
In  Lady  Huntingdon  I  see  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude 
in  the  firmament  of  the  Church.  Blessed  be  God  for 
free  grace,  that  salvation  is  to  every  one  that  cometh  to 
Christ!  otherwise,  when  I  compare  my  life  and  my  spirit 
with  hers,  I  could  not  believe  the  same  heaven  was  to 
contain  us.  How  do  works,  the  works  of  faith  and  love, 
speak  and  preach  Jesus  Christ,  in  that  devoted  servant 
of  Ilis  !  no  equipage — no  livery  servants — no  house ; — 
all  these  given  up,  that  perishing  sinners  may  hear  the 
life-giving  sound,  and  be  enriched  with  all  spiritual  bless- 
ings. Her  prayers  are  heard ;  her  chapel  is  crowded ; 
and  many  sinners  among  the  poor  are  brought  into  the 
City  of  Kefuge.  Happy  is  it  for  us,  my  friend,  that  we 
have  been  brought  into  that  city — that  we  know  in 
whom  we  we  have  believed — that  we  can  say,  '  Surely  in 
the  Lord  have  I  righteousness  and  strength  I  that  we 


ITINERANT     LABOURS.  307 

have  been  happily  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  confessing 
we  have  nothing  to  pay,  nothing  to  plead,  but  '  Worthy 
is  the  lamb.'  This  is  all  our  relief,  consolation,  and 
triumph  ;  and  will  be  through  all  ages.  I  feel,  from  Lady 
Huntingdon's  example,  an  increasing  desire,  both  for 
myself,  and  you,  and  all  our  friends,  that  we  may  be 
active  and  eminent  in  the  life  of  grace." 

When  Mr.  Yenn  left  Bath,  he  undertook  for  Lady 
Huntingdon  a  preaching  tour,  on  his  way  towards  York- 
shire. He  first  stopped  at  Worcester,  where  a  considera- 
ble awakening  had  taken  place  through  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel  by  her  ministers  and  students.  As  the  churches 
were  frequently  denied  him,  he  preached  wherever  he 
could  gather  a  congregation ;  in  large  rooms — crowded 
streets — and  the  open  fields.  He  paid  a  visit  to  Lord 
Dartmouth,  at  Sandwell,  near  West  Bromwich ;  where  he 
remained  some  time,  and  preached  in  the  neighbouring 
towns  and  villages.  He  also  itinerated  in  Cheshire,  and 
proclaimed  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  in  many  be- 
nighted districts.  Though  these  journeys  were  undertaken 
at  the  request  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  it  is  but  justice  to 
the  character  of  Mr.  Yenn  to  mention,  that  there  was  no 
foundation  for  the  reports  which  were  circulated,  that  he 
Avas  induced  to  preach  for  her  by  pecuniary  considerations. 
He  never  expected  the  least  remuneration ;  and  all  he 
would  receive  barely  paid  his  travelling  and  necessary 
expenses.  His  heart  sympathized  with  the  plans  of  the 
Countess,  and  would  never  have  sanctioned  the  bestowal 
of  her  liberality  upon  himself.  Her  generosity  was 
unbounded  ;  her  wealth  was  consecrated  to  the  service  of 
her  Saviour ;  she  severely  denied  herself  that  she  might 
extend  the  kingdom  of  Christ ;  and  carefully  saw  that  the 
distribution  of  her  wealth  was  applied  to  promote  the 
glory  of  God; — yet,  with  all  her  fortune  and  self-denial, 
her  finances  were  inadequate  to  carry  out  her  plans,  and 
she  could  never  have  done  the  noble  acts  which   mark 


308  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

her  character  had  she  not  found  such  men  as  Mr.  Yeun 
and  her  chaplains,  willing  to  accomplish  her  desires  with 
the  same  distinguished  zeal,  and  to  spend  their  substance, 
as  well  as  themselves,  in  the  same  glorious  cause. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  year  1769,  Ladj  Huntingdon 
left  her  chapel  at  Bath  in  the  hands  of  the  Kev.  Messrs. 
Townsend  and  Jesse,  and  visited  the  metropolis.  The 
first  day  of  the  new  year  was  set  apart  by  her  for  fasting, 
close  examination,  deep  humiliation  of  spirit,  and  renewed 
dedication  of  herself  to  God.  In  the  morning  she  was 
greatly  stimulated  by  a  sermon  from  the  Eev.  A.  Kinsman, 
of  Plymouth,  who  was  then  supplying  Whitefield's 
chapels  in  London,  on  the  words,  ''Strengthen  ye  the 
weak  hands,  and  confirm  the  feeble  knees."  In  the  eve- 
ning she  heard  a  most  thrilling  discourse  from  Komaine 
at  the  Lock  chapel,  on  the  striking  words  of  Jeremiah, 
^'  This  year  thou  shalt  die."  It  was  the  means  of  arousing 
her  attention  to  the  end  which  awaits  all  mortal  creatures. 
God  had  spared  her  amid  disease,  and  dangers :  but  her 
night  would  come  at  last,  though  the  evening  might  con- 
tinue long ;  and  therefore  she  resolved  to  labour  more 
earnestly,  and  extensively  for  the  glory  of  God,  while  it 
was  day.  She  enjoyed  the  sweet  sense  of  God's  smile 
and  blessing  ;  and  delighted  to  commune  with  him,  that 
she  might  be  prepared  for  the  trials  which  she  saw 
gathering  around  her,  and  to  do  his  will,  whether  its  per- 
formance aroused  the  hostility  of  the  world,  or  called 
forth  its  gratitude  and  approbation.  The  more  she  en- 
joyed the  light  of  heaven,  the  more  clearly  she  discerned 
the  depravity  of  her  heart,  the  crafty  nature  of  evil,  and 
the  unspeakable  preciousness  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Lady  Huntingdon  had  her  outward  trials  as  well  as 
her  inward  experiences.  Ilcr  divine  Father  chastened 
her,  as  she  was  able  to  bear  it ;  and  often  reminded  her 
that  she  was  but  a  feeble  instrument  in  his  hands,  and 
that  the  success  of  her  labours  was  derived  from  him 


HER     TRIALS.  309 

alone.  In  many  places  where  slie  had  succeeded  in 
planting  the  gospel  standard,  great  success  at  first  at- 
tended the  efforts  of  her  ministers,  and  much  spirituality 
and  zeal  glowed  in  the  hearts  of  the  converts  to  Christ. 
After  a  time,  however,  in  some  places  the  scene  changed, 
and  a  deadly  apathy  crept  over  the  congregation.  This 
greatly  discouraged  her  heart :  she  wrestled  more  earn- 
estly in  prayer  to  God  for  them ;  poured  out  her  com- 
plaints to  her  chief  advisers;  and  moved  among  the 
different  stations  with  greater  frequency.  This  trial, 
however,  was  not  of  long  continuance.  The  clouds 
which  had  darkened  her  prospect  separated,  and  allowed 
a  few  beams  of  sunshine  to  cheer  her,  before  another 
storm  passsed  over  her  head,  and  desolated  the  religious 
community. 

It  was  during  the  month  of  January,  1770,  the  Count- 
ess paid  a  visit  to  the  venerable  Vincent  Perronet,  vicar 
of  Shoreham,  Sussex.  His  name  had  long  attracted  con- 
siderable notice  in  the  religious  world ;  his  talents  and 
accomplishments  would  have  qualified  him  to  occupy 
with  dignity  any  station;  and  his  family  connections 
opened  to  him  the  prospect  of  considerable  preferment  in 
the  church ;  yet,  when  the  clear  light  of  the  gospel  shone 
into  his  heart,  he  instantly  renounced  his  ecclesiastical 
prospects,  and  devoted  himself  to  promote  the  revival  of 
religion  in  England.  He  had  occasionally  corresponded 
wath  Lady  Huntingdon,  but  had  never  had  a  personal 
interview  with  her,  till  she  visited  him  at  his  residence. 
She  w^as  greatly  pleased  with  his  manly  and  exalted 
piety,  his  gentle  and  engaging  manners,  and  the  simpli- 
city and  sweetness  of  his  disposition.  She  says,  "  He  is 
a  most  heavenly  man,  with  the  most  lively  piety,  joined 
with  the  profoundest  humility,  and  ardent  concern  for 
the  salvation  of  the  people  committed  to  his  charge." 
She  was  accompanied  to  Shoreham  by  Mr.  Wesley,  w^ho 
remained  there  a  few  days,  while  she  proceeded  to  Tun- 


810  MEM  OIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

bridge  "Wells^  to  regulate  some  affairs  connected  with  lier 
chapel  in  that  town.  She  journeyed  thence  to  Brighton 
and  Oathall  to  meet  KomainC;  who  had  arrived  there  a 
few  days  before. 

The  Countess  returned  to  her  residence  in  Portland 
Eow,  London,  in  the  month  of  February.  On  the  6th, 
Wesley  administered  the  sacrament  at  her  house  for  tlie 
last  time.  A  coolness  had  existed  between  them  for  some 
time,  which  was  rapidly  increasing,  and  finally  termi- 
nated in  a  total  separation.  He  was,  however,  at  her 
house  the  following  week;  when  Dr.  Talbot  administered 
the  ordinance,  and  the  Kev.  Moses  Browne  of  Olney 
preached,  and  he  concluded  with  prayer.  For  a  few 
weeks,  these  services  were  continued  at  her  house  by 
several  clergymen,  and  were  made  very  useful  to  the 
higher  circles.  Komaine  returned  from  Brighton  early 
in  March,  and  on  the  5th  accompanied  the  Countess  to 
Eeading,  where  she  remained  a  few  days  with  her  excel- 
lent friends.  On  the  9th,  she  journeyed  to  Bristol,  where 
Komaine  preached  twice  in  the  churches,  and  the  day 
after  went  to  Bath,  and  heard  her  chaplain  preach  to  a 
very  large  and  attentive  audience.  On  the  14th,  Eo- 
maine  accompanied  her  to  Cheltenham ;  and  being 
refused  the  use  of  the  parish  church,  he  addressed  a  large 
congregation  in  a  sjDacious  school-room,  where  her 
ministers  had  often  preached.  On  the  16th,  she  left 
Cheltenham  for  Oxford  ;  and  on  the  following  day  arrived 
at  Eeading,  where  Eomaine  was  to  preach  on  the  Sab- 
bath. The  Countess  spent  two  days  in  London,  and  set 
off  for  Brighton  on  the  22nd,  accompanied  by  Lady  Ann 
Erskine,  Miss  Orton,  and  Mr.  Maxlield.  Such  is  a  spe- 
cimen of  the  journeys  of  Lady  Huntingdon ;  and  when 
the  mode  of  travelling,  the  dangerous  state  of  the  roads 
in  these  times,  and  the  age  of  the  Countess,  are  considered, 
it  must  excite  surprise  that  her  feeble  health  was  able  to 
endure  the  fatigue  of  these  energetic  labours. 


THE     PERIOD     OF     CONTROVERSY.        311 


CHAPTER  XYIIL    A.D.    1770—1771. 

THE  PERIOD  OF  CONTROVERSY. — THE  CALVINISTIC  AND 
ARMINIAN  METHODISTS. —  THE  MINUTES  OF  CONFER- 
ENCE.— REV.  J.  BENSON. — MR.  FLETCHER  AT  THE  COL- 
LEGE.—  THE  SECOND  ANNIVERSARY  SERVICES. —  THE 
PROSPERITY  OF  THE  COLLEGE.—  DEATH  OF  WHITE- 
FIELD. —  THE  NOBILITY  AT  BATH. —  ROWLAND  HILL. 
THE  PROGRESS  OF  STRIFE. — BENSON  DISMISSED  FROM 
THE  COLLEGE. — FLETCHER  RESIGNS  THE  PRESIDENCY. 
THE  RISING  STORM. —  THE  CONFERENCE. — THE  PAPER 
WAR. — REFLECTIONS   ON   THE   CONTROVERSY. 

The  period  of  controversy  sliould  be  approached  with 
great  caution  by  every  historian.  The  arena  on  which 
the  battle  is  fought  is  necessarily  circumscribed;  the 
weapons  employed  are  generally  sharpened  by  much  that 
is  personal  and  offensive ;  the  tide  of  victory  apparently 
changes  as  each  combatant  brings  up  his  forces;  and  so 
much  must,  from  the  nature  of  the  conflict,  be  inevitably 
concealed,  and  what  is  evident  must  touch  some  bias  of 
the  mind  or  heart, — that  even  the  desire  to  be  impartial 
does  not  always  secure  that  happy  result.  It  is  notorious 
that  no  controversy  is  so  powerful,  and  painful  in  its 
consequences,  as  one  which  partakes  of  a  theological 
character.  The  subject  is  associated  with  the  deepest 
feelings  of  man's  nature ;  to  touch  a  religious  conviction 
is  to  touch  the  apple  of  the  eye;  and  the  call  to  surrender 
a  dogma  which,  perhaps,  has  been  cherished  from  the 
earliest  days  of  manhood,  is  treated  more  harshly  than 
even  a  call  to  surrender  some  temporal  possession.     It  is 


312  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

well  that  it  is  so  ;  for  thougli  it  renders  the  process  of 
destroying  error  painful  and  difficult,  it  forms  a  great 
barrier  around  the  truth,  and  prevents  its  being  carried 
away  in  the  fierce  struggles  of  theological  controversy. 
It  must  ever  be  deplored  that  the  contest  for  truth  is  not 
usually  carried  on  without  awakening  bitter  feelings, 
jealousies,  reproaches,  and  personalities,  among  the  com- 
batants. In  the  heat  of  strife,  party-spirit  often  prevails 
over  the  love  of  truth ;  and  the  contest  merges  into  a 
trial  of  strength  between  two  religious  persons  or  com- 
munities. Especially  if  the  subject  be  one  of  deep  and 
mysterious  profundity,  there  is  a  great  temptation  to 
indulge  in  subtile  speculations,  and  to  dogmatize  where 
it  is  more  becoming  to  be  careful  and  reserved. 

It  was  during  this  year  that  the  memorable  controversy 
arose  between  the  Arminian  and  Calvinistic  Methodists, 
which  raged  with  great  fury  for  nearly  six  years,  and 
ended  in  a  total  separation  of  these  two  bodies  of  Chris- 
tians. The  mighty  champions,  "Whitefield  and  Wesley, 
had  often  come  into  collision  on  their  respective  dis- 
tinguishing tenets  ;  though,  by  mutual  forbearance,  they 
had  hushed  the  angry  growl  which  occasionally  arose, 
and  united  with  each  other  in  promoting  the  spread  of 
the  gospel.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  very  anxious  to  pre- 
serve the  harmonious  co-operation  of  the  leaders;  and 
though  firmly  attached  to  the  opinions  she  held,  she  knew 
that  there  was  common  ground  on  which  both  could 
stand,  and  maintain  a  fraternal  association.  Her  efforts  to 
secure  such  a  happy  state  of  things  have  been  narrated; 
and  to  a  certain  extent,  she  succeeded  in  establishing  an 
outward  union.  Her  discerning  eye,  however,  could  de- 
tect in  Wesley  a  want  of  cordiality  and  sympathy  towards 
the  Calvinists ;  and  the  prominence  which  he  gave  to  the 
doctrine  of  Ohristian  Perfection  awakened  her  suspicions. 
He  soon  began  to  decline  in  her  estimation  ;  and  it  was 
not  long  before  she  discovered  in  his  proceedings  a  fresh 


THE     PERIOD     OF     CONTROVERSY.        813 

cause  for  alarm.  Two  years  before  this  period,  he  wrote 
a  letter  to  Mr.  Fletcher,  warning  him  against  very  friendly 
intercourse  with  the  Calvinists,  whom  he  speaks  of  in  a 
sneering  manner,  and  alluding  covertly  to  his  connection 
■with  Lady  Huntingdon.  The  Countess  was  soon  aware 
of  this;  and  though  assured  that  the  attempt  to  prejudice 
Mr.  Fletcher  had  failed,  she  could  not  forget,  even  if  she 
could  forgive,  the  ungenerous  conduct  of  John  Wesley. 
The  breach  every  month  became  wider ;  the  flame  of  con- 
tention was  enkindled,  and,  though  repressed,  was  gain- 
ing power ;  the  significant  lull  was  passing  into  a  rising 
storm ;  and  signs  of  the  approach  of  a  season  of  remarka- 
ble strife  were  noAv  and  then  appearing.  The  views  of 
each  were  rapidly  changing  towards  each  other ;  Wesley 
regarded  the  Countess  in  a  new  aspect,  and  her  Lady- 
ship cherished  towards  Wesley  very  different  feelings 
from  what  she  had  hitherto  manifested.  At  length  the 
crisis  came ;  the  war-note  was  sounded ;  the  battle  com- 
menced. 

Wesley  convened  in  London  the  twenty-seventh  an- 
nual Conference  of  preachers,  August  7th,  1770 ;  and  to 
raise  a  bulwark  against  Antinomianism,  or  the  abuse  of 
the  doctrine  of  free  grace,  he  drew  up  certain  proposi- 
tions, condemning  the  Calvinistic  sentiments,  which  were 
argeed  to  by  the  Conference.  These  propositions  natu- 
rally gave  great  offence  to  the  whole  body  of  the  Calvin- 
istic Methodists,  and  created  considerable  alarm  among 
them.  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  several  other  persons, 
protested  against  the  Minutes  of  Conference,  as  striking 
at  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  gospel ;  and  Mr. 
Shirley  said  publicly,  ''that  he  deemed  peace  in  such  a 
case  a  shameful  indolence,  and  silence  no  less  than 
treachery ! "  The  consideration  of  the  points  at  issue 
took  a  deep  hold  on  the  public  mind ;  and  after  silently 
slumbering  for  a  short  time,  the  controversy  at  length 
drew  into  the  field  several  champions  on  both  sides.  One 


314  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

of  these  was  tlie  head-master  of  her  Ladyship's  college 
in  "Wales. 

In  the  beginning  of  this  year,  the  Eev.  Joseph  Benson 
was,  through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Fletcher,  appointed  to 
the  situation  which  had  been  vacated  by  Mr.  Easter- 
brook.  He  had  for  some  years  filled  the  office  of  classi- 
cal tutor  in  Kingswood  school,  and  was,  at  the  time  of 
his  appointment,  studying  at  St.  Edmund's  Hall,  Oxford 
His  duties  there  did  not  permit  him  to  reside  at  the  col- 
lege till  the  spring ;  when,  being  dismissed  from  Oxford 
because  of  his  connexion  with  Lady  Huntingdon,  he 
commenced  his  labours  among  the  students  with  the 
promise  of  much  success,  and  was  satisfied  with  the  pro- 
gress they  made  in  learning  and  piety.  He  found  a 
warm  coadjutor  in  Mr.  Fletcher,  who  frequently  visited 
the  college,  and  was  hailed  with  great  delight  by  the  stu- 
dents. The  holy  and  devout  conversation  of  this  man  of 
God  endeared  him  to  them,  and  awakened  in  their  hearts 
such  love  and  veneration  towards  him,  that  they  were 
almost  ready  to  adore  him.  His  appearance  among  them 
was  the  signal  to  leave  off  their  usual  studies,  and  to  sit 
at  his  feet  and  receive  spiritual  instruction.  Languages, 
the  arts  and  sciences,  and  even  theology  itself,  were  laid 
aside  when  he  entered  the  hall.  His  heart  was  overflow- 
ing with  the  love  of  Christ,  and  the  students  were  more 
ready  to  hearken  to  the  outpouring  of  his  soul,  than  to 
attend  to  their  classical  studies,  or  literary  pursuits  ;  and 
seldom  hearkened  long,  before  their  eyes  were  filled  with 
tears,  and  their  hearts  glowed  with  the  fire  which  burned 
in  his  soul.  He  kept  steadily  in  view  the  object  these 
young  men  had  before  them — to  win  souls  to  Christ — ; 
and  was  well  aware  that  classical  learning  and  literature, 
though  very  important  and  useful,  would  never  fit  them 
for  their  work  without  deep  and  fervent  piety,  and  the 
indwelling  of  the  Spirit.  After  speaking  to  them  for 
some  time,  he  often  said  '^As  many  of  you  as  are  athirst 


ANNIVERSARY     SERVICE.  315 

for  this  fulness  of  tlie  Spirit,  follow  me  into  my  room." 
Many  instantly  rose  and  followed  liim,  and  continued 
there  for  two  or  three  hours,  praying  one  after  another 
with  great  earnestness  and  power.  This  was  the  ordi- 
nary employment  of  this  eminent  minister  while  he  re- 
mained at  Trevecca.  lie  frequently  preached  to  the 
students  and  the  family,  and  to  as  many  of  the  neigh- 
bours as  wished  to  be  present ;  when  he  illustrated  some 
important  truth,  reminded  them  of  some  neglected  duty, 
administered  some  needful  consolation,  and  enlivened 
the  whole  by  relating  some  useful  anecdote.  His  heart 
glowed  with  love,  his  mind  sparkled  with  intelligence, 
his  soul  breathed  affection.  His  manner  varied  with  his 
subject.  Sometimes  it  was  grand  and  solemn,  sometimes 
sweet  and  placid ;  and  often  his  soul  lit  up  his  counte- 
nance with  such  rapturous  delight,  that  his  very  face 
seemed  almost  angelic,  and  charmed  his  hearers.  His 
heart  was  in  his  work;  and  when  circumstances  pre- 
vented him  visiting  the  college,  he  affectionately  remem- 
bered his  charge,  and  wrote  them  many  addresses,  full 
of  scriptural  instruction  and  fervent  piety. 

The  controversy  had  scarcely  made  any  stir  when 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  preparing  to  celebrate  the  second 
anniversary  of  her  college.  On  the  18th  of  August,  her 
Ladyship,  with  Mr.  Shirley  and  Mr.  Venn,  arrived  at 
Brislington  near  Bristol,  the  residence  of  James  Ireland, 
Esq.,  a  man  well  known  in  the  religious  world,  and  a 
friend  to  all  parties.  Wesley  was  then  staying  at  Bristol 
with  the  expectation  of  accompanying  her  into  Wales  to 
attend  the  approaching  anniversary  of  her  college,  as  he 
had  been  invited  thither  the  preceding  year.  The  Coun- 
tess, however,  had  come  to  the  determination  of  exclud- 
ing him  from  lier  pulpits  as  long  as  he  adhered  to  the 
resolutions  passed  at  the  late  conference  ;  and  accordingly 
wrote  to  him  to  that  effect.  Wesley  returned  no  answer 
to  the  communication,  but  the  next  day  left  Bristol  for 


316         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Cornwall,  and  never  again  preached  in  the  chapels  of 
Lady  Huntingdon. 

On  the  21st,  the  whole  party,  consisting  of  the  Coun- 
tess, Lady  Ann,  Miss  Orton,  Mr.  Ireland,  Mr.  Llodd,  and 
her  Ladyship's  ministers,  set  out  for  Trevecca,  where  a 
large  company  of  ministers  and  lay -preachers,  among 
whom  were  Messrs.  Fletcher,  W.  Williams,  Eowlands, 
Peter  Williams,  and  Howell  Harris,  awaited  their  arrival. 
The  next  morning  the  series  of  services  commenced,  and 
were  continued  till  after  the  anniversary  day  ;  when  the 
sacrament  was  administered,  the  students  addressed,  and 
the  gospel  preached  to  the  people  in  the  chapel,  and  in 
the  open  court.  The  attendance  on  these  occasions  was 
large ;  but  on  the  anniversary  day  the  number  of  people  _ 
collected  from  all  parts  of  the  country  even  exceeded 
that  of  last  year.  At  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  that 
day,  August  24:th,  a  public  prayer-meeting  was  held  in 
the  chapel  to  implore  the  divine  blessing  to  rest  on  the 
solemn  services  before  them  ;  after  which  the  sacrament 
was  administered  by  the  President  of  the  College,  first 
to  the  ten  clergymen  present,  then  to  the  students,  the 
Countess  and  her  friends,  and  afterwards  to  many  of  the 
congregation.  The  public  service  commenced  at  ten 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  A  platform  had  been  erected  in 
the  court  for  the  ministers  and  students,  which  was  sur- 
rounded by  a  vast  concourse  of  people.  Mr.  Fletcher 
read  prayers  and  appropriate  lessons  ;  Mr.  Peter  Williams 
offered  up  a  fervent  extempore  prayer  for  the  preacher 
and  the  hearers ;  the  congregation  sung  with  spirit  and 
joy  that  well-known  hymn,  ''  Arm  of  the  Lord,  aicalce, 
aivaJce  !  "  and  Mr.  Shirley  stood  in  front  of  the  platform 
to  preach  to  the  people.  After  he  had  concluded,  Mr.  W. 
Williams  preached  to  them  in  Welsh,  and  stirred  up  the 
Welsh  fire  in  the  breasts  of  his  hearers.  At  two  they  all 
dined,  as  on  the  former  occasion  ;  and  the  sight  of  the 
people,  clustering  in  little  bands,  and  singing  amid  the 


PROSPERITY    OF     THE     COLLEGE.  317 

shady  retreats  of  the  grounds  and  neighbourhood,  formed 
a  most  beautiful  spectacle.  At  three,  the  services  were 
recommenced ;  when  John  Berridge  preached  one  of  his 
powerful  discourses,  and  riveted  the  attention  of  his 
hearers  by  his  flashing  strokes  of  wit  and  satire.  Mr. 
Eowlands  also  preached  to  the  people  in  Welsh,  and  sent 
them  to  their  homes  with  gladdened  hearts,  and  holy 
thoughts.  While  the  people  were  hastening  homewards, 
and  talking  of  the  exciting  scenes  they  had  witnessed,  the 
students  were  being  addressed  by  Mr.  Yenn,  who  urged 
them  to  persevere  in  their  work,  to  preach  Christ,  and  to 
depend  on  the  promised  aid  of  the  Spirit  to  cheer,  support 
and  bless  them.  Mr  Fletcher  closed  the  proceedings  of 
the  day  with  earnest  prayer  for  the  divine  blessing  to 
rest  on  the  congregation,  the  college,  the  students,  the 
Countess,  the  world  ;  that  peace  and  prosperity  might 
continue  ;  and  that  all  might  be  more  active  in  diffusing 
the  truth,  and  in  attempting  to  save  a  guilty  race. 

Thus  terminated  the  second  anniversary  of  her  college. 
The  most  delightful  spirit  of  piety  and  brotherly  affec- 
tion pervaded  the  whole  of  the  proceedings ;  and  the 
presence  of  Christ  was  manifested  in  an  especial  manner. 
The  congregations  were  unusually  numerous,  and  atten- 
tive ;  and  felt  deeply  the  stirring  appeals  that  were  made 
to  their  hearts.  The  next  day,  after  a  devotional  meet- 
ing, Lady  Huntingdon  and  her  suite  left  Trevecca,  and 
paid  a  visit  to  Mr.  Powys  at  his  mansion  in  Shropshire ; 
where,  on  the  Sabbath,  Mr.  Berridge  and  Mr.  Yenn 
preached  to  the  people.  She  then  proceeded  to  Worces- 
ter, where  she  staid  a  few  days  to  encourage  the  people 
who  had  been  aroused  by  the  preaching  of  her  students  in 
that  city  ;  and  then  went  forward  to  Bristol,  where  she 
met  with  Charles  Wesley,  who  accompanied  her  to  Bath, 
and  preached  several  times  in  her  chapel. 

As  Lady  Huntingdon's  sphere  of  usefulness  every 
year  was  becoming  more  extensive,  her  expenses  were 


318  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

consequently  greatly  augmented.  Her  income  was  inade- 
quate to  meet  the  demands  made  upon  her  liberality ; 
and  but  for  the  occasional  assistance  of  some  kind  and 
wealthy  friends^  she  would  sometimes  have  been  involved 
in  difficulties.  It  was  about  this  time,  she  received  a  second 
gift  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds  from  Mr.  Thornton  towards 
defraying  the  expense  of  the  College.  From  Lady  Glen- 
orchy,  Lady  Chesterfield,  Mr.  Lloyd,  Mr.  Ireland,  and 
Miss  Orton,  she  likewise  received  considerable  sums, 
amounting  to  nearly  One  Thousand  Pounds,  which  enabled 
her  to  pursue  her  plans  for  promoting  the  spiritual  hap- 
piness of  her  fellow  creatures.  In  the  letter  which 
accompanied  her  donation,  Lady  Glenorchy  says : — 

''  I  am  rejoiced  at  the  success  which  has  attended  the 
college,  and  of  your  very  extensive  field  of  labour.  ^  ^•'  * 
Knowing  the  many  demands  on  your  generosity,  I  beg 
your  acceptance  of  the  enclosed  for  four  hundred  pounds, 
which  you  will  oblige  me  by  expending  in  advancing 
that  glorious  cause  which  my  heart  longs  to  serve ;  and 
at  the  same  time  allow  me  to  repeat  what  I  have  already 
assured  your  Ladyship,  that  my  purse  is  always  at  your 
command,  as  I  feel  persuaded  that  the  Lord  smiles  upon 
your  plans  of  usefulness,  and  will  crown  them  with  his 
blessing.  Your  Ladyship's  account  of  what  occurred  at 
Mr.  Wesley's  last  conference  does  not  surprise  me.  I 
have  since  seen  the  minutes,  and  must  bear  my  feeble 
testimony  against  the  sentiments  contained  in  them. 
May  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  be  with  you,  and  enable  you 
to  make  a  firm  stand  in  defence  of  a  free-grace  gospel." 

Lady  Huntingdon  thanked  her  for  her  generous  gift  to 
the  college,  which,  she  says,  "  has  been  the  offspring  of 
many  tears,  and  strong  crying  to  the  great  and  glorious 
Head  of  the  Church,"  and  adds  ;— 

''  The  College  is  in  a  most  glorious  state.  The  unction 
of  the  Holy  One  is  continually  descending  on  all  its  be- 


DEATH     OF     WHITE  FIELD.  819 

loved  inmates,  and  the  love  and  harmony  that  reigns 
amongst  them  all,  it  is  most  delightful  to  witness.  Fired 
with  a  zeal  for  God  and  perishing  souls,  all  seemed  deter- 
mined, in  their  strength,  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  this 
divine  employ.  The  College,  as  dear  Berridge  says,  has 
been  baptized  with  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; 
great  grace  rests  upon  all  within  its  walls,  and  eminent 
success  crowns  their  labours  in  the  towns  and  villages 
around.  To  God  alone  be  all  the  glory — the  work  is  his, 
and  he  will  carry  it  on  in  his  own  Avay.  His  smiles  of 
approbation  have  cheered  my  heart  amidst  the  many  la- 
bours, cares  and  sorrows,  I  have  to  contend  with.  I 
thirst  for  an  entire  devotedness  to  him,  and  his  cause  and 
interest  in  the  world.  O  that  I  had  a  thousand  hands,  a 
thousand  hearts ;  all  should  be  employed  for  him—for  He 
is  icortliy  !  "  ^ 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  Bath,  the  melancholy 
intelligence  reached  London  that  her  oldest  chaplain 
George  Whitefield  was  now  no  more !  He  had  spent  his 
last  year  in  America,  where  he  preached  almost  daily  to 
large  audiences.  His  strength  often  failed  him ;  and  he 
frequently  remarked  that  he  now  grew  weary  in  the  work, 
but  not  of  it.  He  had  preached  at  Exeter  on  the  29th 
of  September  1770,  and  after  dinner  rode  over  to  New- 
berry Port,  near  Boston.  He  retired  to  rest  early ;  but 
in  the  night  felt  a  suffocation  creeping  over  him.  He 
got  out  of  bed,  and  sat  near  the  open  window ;  but 
gradually  grew  worse ;  and  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
his  spirit  gently  left  the  body,  and  took  its  joyful  fliglit. 
For  some  time.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  nearly  over- 
whelmed with  her  unspeakable  loss.  He  had  been  her 
associate  during  many  years  ;  to  him  she  had  been  ac- 
customed to  look  for  aid  and  counsel ;  and  by  his  talents, 
God  had  been  pleased  to  awaken  many  of  her  noble 
friends  to  see  the  importance  of  religion.     She  showed 

*  Life  and  Times,  vol.  ii,  p.  ]  10-112. 


320  MEMOIR     OF    LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

every  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  her  departed 
chaplain ;  she  hung  the  pulpit;  reading-desks,  and  galle- 
ries, with  black;  and  summoned  Mr.  Venn  to  preach  his 
funeral  sermon  at  her  chapel  on  the  18th  of  November, 
the  day  on  which  John  Wesley  discharged  a  similar 
duty  in  London.  An  immense  crowd  thronged  every 
part  of  the  chapel,  and  all  appeared  deeply  affected. 

A  just  and  graceful  eulogy  was  paid  to  his  character. 
He  was  an  extraordinary  man,  and  accomplished  a  most 
marvellous  work.  His  figure  was  commanding ;  his 
features,  good  and  pleasing ;  his  voice,  strong  and  clear ; 
his  action,  graceful  and  winning.  He  possessed  remarka- 
ble activity  of  body  and  mind,  and  swayed  his  vast 
audiences  by  his  matchless  oratory ;  he  commanded  the 
attention  of  all  classes  of  hearers,  and  preserved  his  popu- 
larity to  the  very  last.  He  gave  prominence  to  the  great 
doctrines  of  the  cross ;  and  illustrated  and  enforced  them 
with  all  the  resources  of  his  versatile  mind.  He  followed 
up  his  preaching  with  private  exhortation  ;  and  often,  for 
hours  after  his  sermons,  attended  to  the  anxious  and 
despairing  sinners  who  flocked  to  him  for  his  advice. 
He  won  the  confidence  and  affection  of  all.  The  most 
timid  forgot  their  fears,  and  the  weeping  their  sorrows, 
when  charmed  by  the  music  of  his  voice.  England  still 
owes  a  debt  of  obligation  to  the  memory  of  this  dis- 
tinguished preacher ;  and  well  would  it  be  for  her  present 
religious  condition,  if  the  spirit,  which  prompted  the 
energetic  labours  of  Whitefield,  were  again  to  glow  in 
her  sons ! 

"■  In  him  there  dwelt  a  spirit  generous,  hold, 
Unawed  hy  threatenings,  unallured  hj  gold  ; 
Preferments,  honours,  ease,  he  deemed  but  loss, 
Vile  and  contemptible  for  Jesu's  cross  ; 
Inured  to  scandal,  injuries,  and  pain, 
For  him  to  live  was  Christ,  to  die  was  gain." 

In  the  year  1771,  the  eccentric  Lady  Betty  Germaine 


ROWLAND     HILL.  321 

arrived  in  Bath,  and  paid  her  respects  to  Lady  Hunting- 
don. She  had  often  heard  Whitefield  at  her  Ladyship's 
residence,  and  had  invited  the  Countess  to  some  of  her 
parties  which  were  atteoded  by  the  principal  literary 
characters  of  the  day.  It  was  at  her  house  Lady  Llun- 
tingdon  met  with  Horace  Walpole,  Dr.  Johnson,  Garrick, 
Sir  Joshua  Eeynolds,  and  other  celebrated  persons.  The 
niece  of  Lady  Betty,  the  witty  and  eccentric  Lady  Craven, 
better  known  as  the  Margravine  of  Anspach,  expressed 
great  regard  for  the  Countess ;  and  the  well-known  Mrs. 
Montague,  who  had  long  been  acquainted  with  Lady 
Huntingdon,  was  extremely  partial  to  her  society.  Lord 
Chancellor  Thurlow  was  at  this  time  in  Bath,  and  was 
introduced  to  the  Countess  by  Lady  Betty.  He  endeav- 
oured to  dazzle  Lady  Huntingdon  with  the  variety  and 
splendour  of  his  talents ;  but  she  turned  the  tide  in  her 
favour,  and  greatly  surprised  him  by  the  simplicity  of 
her  conversation,  and  the  depth  of  her  theological  know- 
ledge. His  Lordship  had  formed  the  habit,  then  fearfully 
characteristic  of  the  nobility,  of  intermingling  oaths  with 
his  conversation  ;  and  it  is  said  that  the  reproofs  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  were  of  such  service  to  him,  that  his  friends 
asserted  he  would  soon  become  a  convert  to  all  her  Lady- 
ship's opinions.  He  was  a  man  of  very  superior  mind, 
and  filled  his  high  station  with  deserved  reputation. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  Eowland  Hill  commenced 
preaching  at  the  Tabernacle,  Bristol,  and  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood; and  visited  many  parts  of  Gloucestershire, 
Somersetshire,  and  Wiltshire.  His  head-quarters  were 
at  Lady  Huntingdon's  house  at  Bath,  where  he  was  wel- 
comed with  great  cordiality.  He  preached  for  the  Count- 
ess with  much  success.  On  one  of  his  preaching  excur- 
sions, he  visited  Wotton-under-Edge,  to  which  he  became 
so  partial  as  to  make  it  his  favourite  summer-residence  in 
after  life.  An  old  lady,  connected  with  one  of  the  most 
respectable  families  in  the  place,  who  was  awakened  to 


322  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

seek  after  salvation  under  his  ministry,  often  described 
his  first  visit  to  Wotton.  She  was  sitting  at  the  tea- 
table,  when  a  relative  bnrst  into  the  room,  and  said, 
''Ann,  the  baronet's  son,  who  goes  about  preaching,  is 
now  under  the  market-house."  "Are  you  sure  it  is  the 
baronet's  son  himself?  "  she  inquired.  "Yes,  that  I  am  ; 
for  I  saw  his  brother,  Mr.  Kichard  Hill,  not  long  ago, 
and  he  is  so  like  him,  I  am  sure  he  is  of  the  same  family." 
She  rose  up  :  and  impelled  by  curiosity  to  see  and  hear 
the  stranger,  she  accompanied  her  relative,  little  thinking 
of  the  important  consequences  his  preaching  would  bring 
to  her.  While  she  was  standing  listening,  a  man  by  her 
side  seized  a  stone  to  hurl  at  Mr.  Hill;  but  another 
caught  his  arm,  and  exclaimed  in  the  broad  dialect  of  the 
country,  "If  thee  doost  touch  him,  I'll  knock  thee  head 
off"  The  man  dropped  his  stone  ;  and  a  solemn  silence 
reigned  a  minute  after. 

About  the  middle  of  June,  Mr.  Komaine  arrived  in 
Bath,  and  was  shortly  after  followed  by  Mr.  Townsend, 
who  had  left  Edinburgh  in  March  to  supply  the  chapel  at 
Bretby  ;  where  he  remained  some  weeks  previous  to  his 
return  to  PcAVsey.  Towards  the  end  of  the  month.  Lady 
Huntingdon  accompanied  these  two  zealous  ministers  on 
a  tour  into  Wiltshire  and  Somersetshire ;  and  visited, 
besides  many  other  places,  Frome,  Pensford,  Shepton- 
Mallet,  Warminster,  and  Bradford,  where  much  good 
was  effected  by  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  After 
remaining  a  few  days  at  Bath,  she  accepted  the  invitation 
of  Mr.  Ireland  to  spend  a  short  time  at  Brislington  ;  and 
staid  there  with  Mr.  Eomaine  till  the  beginning  of 
August,  when  she  left  for  Trevecca.  As  Charles  Wesley 
was  then  at  Bristol,  her  Ladyship  had  many  opportuni- 
ties of  conversing  with  him  on  the  impending  contro- 
versy, which  was  daily  becoming  more  serious  and 
alarming. 

The  head-master  of  her  Ladyship's  college  was  early 


BENSON     DISMISSED.  323 

involved  in  tlie  struggle.  His  long  connexion  with  Wes- 
ley had  predisposed  him  to  assent  to  the  doctrines  which 
the  conference  had  declared ;  and  he  accordingly  corres- 
ponded with  Wesley,  and  defended  him  against  the 
attacks  of  his  opposers.  Lady  Huntingdon  had  stated 
her  determination  that  whoever  embraced  these  doctrines 
should  quit  her  College ;  and  an  animated  correspondence 
ensued  between  Wesley,  Benson,  and  the  Countess,  in 
which  the  mildest  terms  were  not  selected  to  convey 
their  respective  sentiments.  Mr.  Benson,  besides  defend- 
ing Wesley,  wrote  on  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  avowed  sentiments  which  her  Ladyship  and  Mr. 
Shirley  considered  unscriptural.  Lady  Huntingdon  then 
repeated  her  expressed  determination  that  every  Armin- 
ian  should  quit  her  College ;  AVesley  stimulated  Benson 
to  adhere  to  the  Minutes  of  Conference ;  and  the  head- 
master was  consequently  dismissed  from  his  office.  The 
Countess  had  no  fault  to  find  with  his  talents,  conduct, 
or  piety ;  but  she  thought  it  would  be  inflicting  a  severe 
blow  upon  what  she  considered  the  purity  of  the  faith, 
to  continue  him  in  a  position,  where  his  influence  would 
certainly  indoctrinate  the  students  with  his  opinions. 
She  dismissed  him  with  a  testimonial,  in  which  she 
speaks  very  highly  of  his  talents  and  diligence,  and 
which  reflects  equal  credit  on  the  parties  concerned. 

As  Mr.  Benson  had  been  recommended  by  Mr.  Fletch- 
er, and  had  been  intimately  associated  with  him  at  the 
college,  it  was  perfectly  natural  he  should  write  to  him, 
and  explain  the  cause  of  his  dismissal.  The  vicar  of 
Madeley  was  much  grieved  at  the  step  which  Lady 
Huntingdon  had  taken,  and  at  her  imperious  tone ;  he, 
therefore,  wrote  to  her  Ladyship  a  letter,  dated  January 
1st,  1771,  which  stated  that  Mr.  Benson  made  a  just 
defence,  when  he  said  that  he  did  hold  with  him  the 
possibility  of  salvation  to  all  men ;  that  mercy  is  offered 
to  all,    and   yet  may  be   received    or  rejected ;    that  such 


824  MEMOIR     OF    LADY    H  U  N  T  I  N  G  D  0  N. 

were  his  own  sentiments :  and  that  if  tliose  who  held 
them  must  quit  th.e  College  then  he  was  actually  dismiss- 
ed too. 

''For  my  part/'  he  says  with  warmth,  "I  am  no  party- 
man.  In  the  Lord,  I  am  your  servant,  and  that  of  your 
every  student ;  but  T  cannot  give  up  the  honor  of  being 
connected  with  my  old  friends,  who,  notwithstanding 
their  failings,  are  entitled  to  my  respect,  gratitude,  and 
assistance,  could  I  occasionally  give  them  any.  Mr. 
Wesley  shall  always  be  welcome  to  my  pulpit,  and  I 
shall  gladly  bear  my  testimony  in  his,  as  well  as  Mr. 
"Whitefield's.  But  if  your  Ladyship  forbid  your  students 
to  preach,  for  the  one,  and  offer  them  to  preach  for  the 
other  at  every  turn ;  and  if  a  master  is  discarded  for 
believing  that  Christ  died  for  all — then  prejudice  reigns ; 
charity  is  cruelly  wounded ;  and  party  spirit  shouts,  pre- 
vails, and  triumphs." 

He  shortly  afterwards  visited  Trevecca,  and  in  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Benson,  dated  March  22nd,  1771,  says: — 

''On  my  arrival  at  the  College  I  found  all  very  quiet, 
I  fear  through  the  enemy  keeping  his  goods  in  peace. 
While  I  preached,  I  found  myself  as  much  shackled  as 
ever  I  was  in  my  life,  and,  after  private  prayer,  I  con- 
cluded I  was  not  in  my  place.  The  same  day  I  resigned 
my  office  to  my  Lady,  and  on  Wednesday  to  the  stu- 
dents and  the  Lord.  -^  *  *  Last  Friday,  I  left  them  all 
in  peace,  the  servant,  but  no  longer  the  president,  of  the 
College.  My  Lady  behaved  witb  great  candour  and 
condescension  towards  me ;  but  as  for  you,  you  are  still 
out  of  her  books,  and  are  likely  so  to  continue." 

The  controversy  now  began  to  assume  a  threatening 
aspect.  Lady  Huntingdon  widley  circulated  a  printed 
letter,  and  invited  the  Calvinistic  clergy  to  assemble  at 
Bristol,  and  to  meet  the  Wesleyan  Conference ;  and 
either  compel  them  to  revoke  their  last  Minutes,  or  sign 


THE     RISING     STORM.  825 

a  formal  protest  against  them.  The  circular  enclosed 
copies  of  the  Minutes  of  Conference^  and  of  the  proposed 
protest,  and  was  signed  by  Walter  Shirley.  The  Coun- 
tess again  wrote  to  Wesley ;  who  vindicated  his  conduct 
with  great  clearness,  and  showed  that  in  his  sermons  he 
had  for  forty  years  maintained  one  uniform  doctrine,  and 
that  the  Minutes  should  be  construed  in  harmony  with 
liis  well-known  views,  and  not  forced  into  a  contradic- 
tion of  his  previous  doctrines.  Mr.  Fletcher  was  much 
incensed  when  he  read  the  circular;  he  bitterly  com- 
plained of  the  injustice  done  to  Wesley,  and  threatened 
to  take  the  field  in  his  defence,  if  the  meditated  attack 
was  not  immediately  abandoned.  Lady  Huntingdon 
manifested  perhaps  more  zeal  than  prudence  on  this  oc- 
casion ;  but  deeming  it  a  vital  matter,  she  was  prepared 
to  sacrifice  friendship,  yea  even  herself,  in  the  cause  of 
truth!  She  replied  to  Fletcher's  letter;  and  though 
deprecating  the  course  he  was  taking,  she  stated  her 
determination  to  fight  to  the  very  last  for  the  honor  of 
Jesus,  though  all  should  forsake  her,  and  leave  her  alone 
in  the  field !  The  circular  letter,  and  the  copy  of  the 
protest,  evidently  stimulated  opposition,  and  called  forth 
from  many,  a  remonstrance  against  their  intention  to 
come  in  a  body,  and  extort  a  recantation.  Her  Lady- 
ship endeavoured  to  soften,  or  remove,  their  objection  to 
the  mode  she  was  adopting ;  and  Mr.  Shirley  wrote  to 
Wesley,  regretting  the  offence  which  the  circular  had 
given,  and  requesting  to  know  by  what  other  way,  more 
agreeable  to  the  Conference,  the  protesting  party  could 
be  admitted  to  state  their  objections  to  the  Minutes  of 
last  Conference. 

At  length  the  eventful  day  arrived.  The  Conference 
was  held  at  Bristol,  August  6th,  1771 ;  and  the  assembly 
was  crowded,  as  most  of  Wesley's  friends  rallied  around 
him.  On  the  8th,  at  ten  in  the  morning,  Mr.  Shirley, 
and  about  ten  of  his  friends,  were  admitted;  when  a  con- 

28 


826  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

versation  ensued  for  nearly  two  hours.  The  result  was 
such  as  might  have  been  expected,  when  Christian  men 
meet  together,  and  explain  their  respective  views  with 
calmness  and  candour.  Mr.  Fletcher  says,  "All  were 
pleased  with  Mr.  Shirley's  conduct ;  so  much  like  a  min- 
ister of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  a  meek,  humble,  loving, 
brother  in  the  gospel  of  Christ."  "Wesley  drew  up  a  de- 
claration ;  which  stated  that,  as  the  Minutes  were  under- 
stood to  favour  justification  by  works,  such  a  doctrine 
was  abhorred  by  them ;  and  that,  as  the  Minutes  were 
not  sufficiently  guarded,  they  declared  that  they  have  no 
trust  or  confidence  but  in  the  sole  merits  of  Christ  for 
justification  or  salvation.  This  declaration  was  agreed 
to  by  Mr.  Shirley  and  his  friends,  who  candidly  admitted 
that  they  had  been  too  hasty  in  condemning  the  senti- 
ments of  Wesley. 

The  storm  had  thus  apparently  blown  over,  and  the 
serene  sunshine  was  confidently  anticipated ;  but,  unfor- 
tunately, a  circumstance  arose  which  brought  back  the 
electric  flash,  and  whirled  the  elements  into  a  perfect  tem- 
pest. At  the  request  of  Wesley,  Mr.  Fletcher  had  pre- 
pared a  vindication  of  the  doctrines  contained  in  the 
Minutes,  in  the  shape  of  five  letters  addressed  to  Mr. 
Shirley.  The  manuscript  was  finished  a  week  before  the 
opening  of  Conference,  and  presented  to  Wesley  to  pub- 
lish or  suppress  as  he  deemed  fit.  It  remained  in 
Wesley's  hands  till  after  he  had  signed  the  declaration; 
but,  strange  as  it  may  appear,  on  his  leaving  Bristol  for 
Wales  on  Monday,  August  12th,  he  committed  Fletcher's 
vindication  to  the  press,  and  left  directions  that  it  should 
be  published  with  all  speed!  Mr.  Fletcher  no  sooner 
heard  of  the  declaration,  and  of  Shirley's  noble  conduct, 
than  he  felt  the  greatest  anxiety  to  suppress  the  publica- 
tion of  his  "  Letters y  He  wrote  to  Mr.  Ireland,  and 
earnestly  intreated  him  to  take  immediate  steps  to  pre- 
vent   their    appearance.     The   printer    was    seen;    the 


THE     CONTROVERSY.  o27 

stewards  of  the  Bristol  Methodist  Society  commanicated 
with;  and  every  endeavour  made  to  prevent  the  pam23hlct 
seeing  the  light  of  day.  All  efforts,  however,  were  un- 
availing ;  and  nothing  could  now  prevent  the  outbreak 
of  the  war  of  controversy.  Mr.  Olivers,  one  of  Wesley's 
preachers,  a  fiery  zealous  man,  was  intrusted  with  the 
publication ;  and  as  he  had  opposed  the  declaration,  he 
was  only  too  glad  to  give  to  the  world  the  opinions  of 
Mr.  Fletcher  on  a  subject  in  which  he  was  specially 
interested. 

Mr.  Shirley  hastened  to  Trevecca  to  consult  her  Lady- 
ship ;  and  as  Fletcher's  vindication  was  published 
against  his  wish,  through  the  strange  inconsistency  of 
Wesley,  and  the  fiery  zeal  of  his  preacher,  it  became 
necessary  for  Shirley  to  publish  a  narrative  of  the  facts 
and  letters  connected  with  the  whole  affair.  He  wrote, 
and  announced  his  intention,  to  Mr.  Fletcher;  who  re- 
plied that  he  had  no  objection  to  his  letters  being  made 
public,  and  that  if  the  pamphlet  were  friendly,  and  the 
same  size  as  his  vindication,  he  would  take  ten  pounds' 
worth  to  circulate  with  his  vindication.  The  narrative 
appeared ;  and  Wesley's  friends  were  shocked  to  find  his 
Minutes  described  as  ''an  attack  upon  the  foundation  of 
our  hope."  Fletcher  was  again  summoned  to  the  rescue, 
and  published  "  A  Second  Check  to  Antinomianism,''''  in 
three  letters  to  Mr.  Shirley ;  but  he  did  not  succeed  in 
disproving  that  Wesley's  declaration  was  a  recantation 
of  the  Minutes  of  Conference.  The  controversy  soon 
became  sharper  and  more  extended,  until  at  last  it  ended 
in  a  total  separation  of  the  Wesleyans  and  the  Calvinis- 
tic  Methodists.  To  close  this  unpleasant  affair  we  must 
anticipate  a  little  the  chronological  order  of  events. 

In  1772  and  1773,  Sir  Eichard  Hill  and  his  brother 
Kowland  entered  the  lists;  and  were  replied  to  with 
great  earnestness  by  Mr.  Fletcher  in  several  pamphlets. 
Other  combatants  now  appeared  in  the  field,  and  arranged 


328  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

themselves  on  their  respective  sides.  Augustus  Toplady 
hurled  his  ''More  work  for  John  Wesley:''^  Sir  K.  Hill  his 
'' Finishing  Stroke]''''  Berridge  his  ''Christian  World  un- 
masked: "  but  the  indefatigable  pen  of  Fletcher  met  his 
opponents,  and  returned  the  assaults.  Many  opprobrious 
epithets  were  employed  ;  scurrility,  abuse,  and  personali- 
ties abounded  ;  and  feelings,  which  were  anj^thing  but 
Christian,  were  manifested  towards  each  other.  Many 
good  and  holy  men  attempted  to  sweeten  the  bitter  ani- 
mosity which  existed  ;  and  during  the  year  1774,  national 
calamities  suspended  the  controversy ;  but  in  the  following 
year,  the  campaign  was  opened  by  Toplady,  and  the 
great  struggle  was  renewed.  We  need  not,  however, 
further  pursue  the  narration  of  this  conflict,  as  it  belongs 
more  to  the  province  of  eclesiastical  history  than  to  our 
present  purpose. 

A  review  of  the  whole  controversy  brings  with  it  many 
painful  reflections.  It  is  sad  to  see  the  Church  of  Christ 
held  up  to  the  scorn  and  ridicule  of  the  world  by  its  most 
zealous  friends;  and  to  witness  one  portion  arrayed 
against  another  in  deadly  strife.  The  strife  first  arose  in 
misrepresentation,  was  continued  in  party  spirit  and  fierce 
anger,  and  ended  in  separation  and  jealousy.  Both 
parties  are  equally  to  be  blamed  ;  both  selected  weapons, 
and  appealed  to  passions,  unworthy  of  the  cause  of  reli- 
gion ;  and  both  failed  to  detect  the  strength  and  harmony 
of  their  respective  views,  and  plunged  into  an  abyss  of 
metaphysical  abstractions.  There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the 
sincerity  and  zeal  of  the  Countess  in  the  decided  step  she 
took  at  first ;  but  it  must  also  be  admitted  that  her  love 
of  truth  carried  her  away,  in  the  warmth  of  her  feelings, 
to  do,  and  to  say  things,  which,  on  calmer  reflection,  per- 
haps, she  wished  had  never  occurred.  Wesley  was  guilty 
of  stirring  up  the  strife  by  unjustifiably  publishing 
Fletcher's  vindication,  after  he  had  signed  the  declaration 
which  refuted  the  obnoxious  clauses ;  and  to  him  and 


REFLECTIONS    ON    THE    CONTROVERST.  829 

Toplady  must  be  awarded  tlie  palm  for  garnisliing  their 
papers  with  scurrility  and  unchristian  appeals.  Fletcher 
was  decidedly  an  able  disputant,  though  many  of  his 
remarks  were  most  biting  and  severe ;  and  sometimes  his 
fervid  eloquence  enticed  him  from  the  investigation  of 
abstruse  points,  and  led  him  to  expend  his  strength  in 
loose  declamation.  All  parties,  on  calm  reflection,  de- 
plored the  manner  in  which  they  had  contended.  Fletcher 
deeply  regretted  that  he  had  ever  taken  up  his  pen  on 
behalf  of  Wesley;  Toplady  wished  he  had  seen  his 
opponents,  instead  of  only  reading  their  productions  ; 
and  Eowland  Hill  admitted  that  a  softer  style  and  spirit 
would  better  have  become  him.  Had  a  meeting  been 
convened,  where  each  could  have  explained  his  peculiar 
views,  and  kept  his  investigation  within  reasonable 
bounds,  the  enmity  v/hich  existed  between  the  two  great 
sections  of  Methodism  would  never  have  appeared,  and 
Calvinists  and  Arminians  would  not  have  rushed  to  the 
opposite  poles  of  Christian  truth,  whither  so  many  have 
been  driven  by  speculation,  and  the  pride  of  reason. 

28* 


380     •      MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON 


CHAPTER  XIX.    A.D.    1771—1772. 

RESPONSIBLE  POSITION  OF  THE  COUNTESS — TOUR  IN 
WALES. —  CHAPEL  AT  SWANSEA. — LABOURS  OF  THE  STU- 
DENTS. —  MARGATE.  —  DOVER.  — FOLKSTONE.  —  DEAL. 

CANTERBURY. — ASHFORD. — MAIDSTONE. — THE  MIDLAND 
COUNTIES. — DORSETSHIRE. — DEVONSHIRE. — LADY  HUNT- 
INGDON'S AFFECTION  FOR  HER  STUDENTS. — ARCHBISHOP 
OF  CANTERBURY. — INTERVIEW  OF  THE  COUNTESS  WITH 
THE  KING  AND  QUEEN. — PETITION  AGAINST  SUBSCRIP- 
TION TO  THE  THIRTY-NINE  ARTICLES. — THE  DISSENTERS. 
— LORD  CHATHAM. 

Lady  HuntingdoD  now  occupied  a  high  and  responsi- 
ble position  in  the  religions  world.  Her  efforts  had  been 
steadily  increasing,  and  were  producing  permanent  re- 
sults in  all  parts  of  the  country.  Numerous  chapels  had 
sprung  up  under  her  fostering  care  and  liberality ;  and 
many  students  were  itinerating  throughout  England  and 
Wales  to  preach  the  gospel.  Life  and  prosperity  had  re- 
appeared among  drooping  congregations ;  and  a  mighty 
stimulus  was  given  to  the  activity  of  the  Christian 
church.  The  storms  of  controversy  did  not  retard  her 
efforts,  but  only  led  her  to  pray  more  fervently,  and  to 
labour  more  devotedly,  for  the  wide  diffusion  of  truth. 
Her  college  was  a  most  valuable  auxiliary  to  her,  and 
enabled  her  to  enter  upon  the  fresh  fields  which  were 
yearly  opening,  without  subjecting  herself  to  the  control 
of  episcopal  authority.  The  Countess  spent  a  considera- 
ble portion  of  every  year  at  the  College,  that  she  might 


BENJAMIN     TUCKER.  331 

encourage  the  students  with  her  presence,  regulate  the 
order  of  their  itinerant  journeys,  and  accompany  them 
into  the  neighbouring  districts,  Avhen  any  circumstance 
specially  called  for  her  assistance.  The  third  anniversary 
of  this  valuable  institution  was  attended  by  even  greater 
crowds  than  on  the  preceding  year.  The  usual  services 
were  held  both  previous  to  and  after  the  24th  of  August, 
and  were  very  animated  and  encouraging ;  and  the  min- 
isters returned  to  their  spheres  with  gladdened  hearts, 
and  with  renewed  consecration  of  themselves  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Lord.  Soon  after  the  anniversary,  Lady 
Huntingdon  made  a  tour  in  Wales  with  Mr.  Eowlands 
and  Mr.  Williams.  She  spent  two  days  at  Brecknock, 
and  then  proceeded  to  Csermarthen,  at  each  of  which 
places  her  ministers  preached  to  large  congregations  in 
the  churches  and  in  the  open  air;  then  passed  on  to 
Haverford-West,  and  visited  the  town  of  Swansea. 

This  rising  toAvn  had  been  for  some  time  in  a  most 
benighted  condition.  A  few  Welsh  and  English  people 
had  been  accustomed  to  assemble  in  a  room  in  Castle 
Street  for  prayer;  but  their  difference  in  language  and 
sentiment  destroyed  their  harmony,  and  eventually  led 
to  a  separation.  The  remaining  people  were  too  poor  to 
pay  the  small  sum  of  three  pounds  a-year  for  the  rent  of 
the  room ;  and  the  landlady  threatened  to  eject  them. 
Among  them  was  a  man  of  singular  piety,  named  Benja- 
min T  acker,  who  was  sincerely  attached  to  the  little 
meeting.  He  became  the  leading  person  there,  and  was 
informed  that  he  must  either  defray  the  expenses  of  the 
room,  or  relinquish  it  next  week.  His  poverty  forbade 
him  taking  the  responsibility  upon  himself,  and  the 
thought  of  abandoning  the  place  distressed  his  mind. 
One  day  he  strolled  towards  the  bay;  and  falling  on  his 
knees  prayed  that  God  would  help  them  in  their  difficulty. 
While  thus  engaged  the  name  of  the  Countess  occurred 
to  him,  as  the  most  likely  person  to  aid  them  in  their 


832  MEMOIR     OF     LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

distress.  He  prevailed  upon  a  neighbouring  farmer  to 
write  to  the  Countess,  who  was  then  staying  at  Britton 
Ferry,  a  few  miles  from  Swansea ;  and  as  no  reply  was 
returned,  he  waited  upon  her  Ladyship,  who,  after  hear- 
ing his  statement,  kindly  consented  to  send  a  student 
from  Trevecca  every  Sabbath.  After  they  had  preaclied 
here  for  twelve  months,  it  was  thought  that  if  a  chapel 
were  erected,  a  large  congregation  might  soon  be  collec- 
ted. Lady  Huntingdon  inquired  of  Tucker  how  many 
members  could  be  obtained  to  form  a  society  ;  and  when 
informed  there  were  only  five,  she  expressed  her  surprise 
that  such  a  small  number  should  desire  the  erection  of 
a  chapel.  Tucker  promptly  replied  ''There  were  but 
few  in  Cornelius'  house,  but  at  his  invitation  more  came ; 
and  while  Peter  preached,  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  upon  all 
them  that  heard  the  word."  The  Countess  was  pleased 
with  his  remark,  and  promised  her  assistance  in  building 
a  chapel. 

Shortly  after.  Lady  Huntingdon  visited  Swansea,  and 
requested  one  of  her  students  to  preach  under  an  elm 
tree  which  faced  her  lodgings  in  Chapel  Street,  while  she 
sat  at  the  open  window,  and  listened  to  the  sermon. 
Many  interviews  took  place  respecting  the  intended 
chapel;  and  when,  on  one  occasion,  her  Ladyship 
remarked,  that  a  room  would  be  quite  sufficient.  Tucker 
declared,  with  his  enthusiastic  energy,  that  he  would  beg 
throughout  the  Principality,  if  she  would  not  comply 
with  their  request.  She  yielded  to  his  importunity ;  and 
through  the  kindness  of  Sir  Herbert  Mack  worth,  obtained 
the  lease  of  one  of  the  sand-banks  on  the  Burrows  for 
forty  years,  at  a  ground  rent  of  £3.  14s.  Od.  per  annum, 
upon  which  she  erected  a  neat  and  commodious  chapel 
in  the  Gothic  style.  It  was  opened  for  public  worship 
April  5th,  1789,  by  Mr.  Kowlands,  and  the  Eev.  "\V. 
Taylor,  one  of  her  Ladyship's  chaplains;  and  was  for  a 
time  supplied  by  some  of  her  best  preachers.     It  proved 


CHAPEL     AT     SWANSEA.  333 

a  great  blessing  to  tlie  neighbourhood ;  frequently  it  was 
crowded  to  excess  ;  and  many  there  were  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  truths  and  decided  for  Christ.  In  1796 
the  Eev.  W.  Kemp  became  the  pastor  of  the  people,  and 
laboured  there  for  twenty-five  years  with  considerable 
success,  till  his  removal  to  Cheshunt  College,  to  fill  the 
important  office  of  theological  tutor  in  that  institution. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  intimate  friend,  the  Eev.  David 
Jones,  who,  about  five  years  before  the  lease  would  have 
expired,  having  ascertained  that  the  corporation  were 
desirous  of  making  a  road  by  the  side  of  the  chapel,  pro- 
posed to  exchange  a  piece  of  land  on  the  south  side  for 
that  purpose  for  a  small  piece  at  the  back  of  the  chapel, 
and  by  great  exertions  secured  to  the  trustees  a  new 
lease  for  ninety- nine  years.  Mr.  Jones  was  soon  laid 
aside  by  ill-health,  which  was  but  slightly  improved  by 
his  travels  in  France,  and  in  1825  he  resigned  his  charge 
at  Swansea,  and  became  the  classical  tutor  at  Cheshunt, 
but  died  a  few  weeks  after  he  had  entered  upon  his  office. 
The  chapel  was  then  supplied  by  various  ministers  in  the 
Connexion,  till  the  year  1838,  when  the  Eev.  Thomas 
Dodd  became  the  pastor  of  the  church,  under  whose 
ministry  the  chapel  was  greatly  enlarged,  and  school- 
rooms built.  He  removed  to  Worcester  in  1852 ;  and 
the  Eev.  J.  Whitby  is  now  the  stated  minister  of  her 
Ladyship's  chapel  at  Swansea. 

The  labours  of  the  students  from  Trevecca  obtained 
the  sanction  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church.  In  Sep- 
tember 1771,  Lady  Huntingdon  received  an  anonymous 
letter,  which  described  the  town  of  Margate  as  a  very 
licentious  place,  particularly  in  the  summer,  and  requested 
her  to  send  some  of  her  ministers  to  preach  the  gospel  to 
the  benighted  people.  One  of  her  senior  students,  Mr. 
William  Aldridge,  undertook  the  duty,  and  chose  as  his 
fellow-worker,  Mr.  Joseph  Cook,  an  eminently  zealous 
preacher,  who  ultimately  died  in  the  missionary  field  in 


334  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

America.  They  arrived  safely  in  the  Isle  of  Tbanet ; 
and  being  unknown  to  any  person  in  Margate,  they  stood 
in  the  open  street,  and  proclaimed  Jesus  Christ  as  the 
Saviour  of  the  world.  Curiosity  soon  attracted  a  large 
congregation ;  and  while  some  scoffed  at  them,  and  de- 
parted, many  were  deeply  convinced  of  their  sins,  and 
led  to  the  feet  of  Jesus.  The  success  they  met  with  in- 
duced these  servants  of  God  to  extend  the  sphere  of  their 
labours ;  and  before  long,  the  whole  island  resounded 
with  the  preacliing  of  the  gospel. 

The  report  of  their  usefulness  reached  the  town  of 
Dover,  whither  these  two  faithful  ministers  were  invited 
by  a  few  persons,  who  were  concerned  for  the  revival  of 
religion.  Mr.  Aldridge  began  the  public  ministry  of  her 
Ladyship's  Connexion  in  Dover.  He  was  a  man  of  fear- 
less character;  and  to  create  greater  excitement  in  the 
place,  he  delivered  his  first  address  in  the  market-place, 
from  a  chair  borrowed  at  a  neighbouring  barber's  shop. 
The  congregation  at  the  parish  church  was  just  returning 
from  the  afternoon  service,  and  speedily  collected  around 
him,  and  formed  a  large  audience.  The  preacher  was 
soon  attacked  by  a  mob,  and  assailed  by  missiles ;  and 
as  he  had  succeeded  in  creating  an  excitement,  he  ab- 
ruptly terminated  his  address,  and  begged  the  attendance 
of  his  audience  in  the  evening  at  the  old  meeting-house. 
That  chapel  had  long  been  deserted  by  a  congregation, 
and  shut  up ;  and  had  been  procured  by  the  persons  who 
invited  her  Ladyship's  ministers  to  Dover.  Aldridge  was 
there  free  from  interruption ;  and  he  preached  to  the 
people  with  such  power  that  many  groaned  under  the 
conviction  of  sin,  and  cried  out  to  God  for  salvation.  As 
the  prospect  of  success  was  encouraging,  it  was  agreed 
that  Aldridge  and  Cook  should  supply  Margate  and 
Dover  constantly,  and  change  every  week.  The  appear- 
ance of  Cook  attracted  considerable  attention  ;  his  youth, 
his  energy,  and  address  caused  numbers  to  flock  to  hear 


DOVER,     FOLKSTONE,     DEAL.  335 

him,  and  his  first  sermon  was  made  useful  to  many  souls, 
especially  to  Mr.  W.  Atwood,  who  became  an  active 
village  preacher,  and  eventually  the  pastor  of  a  Baptist 
Church  in  the  adjacent  town  of  Folkstone.  Such  was  the 
origin  of  Lady  Huntingdon's  Connexion  at  Dover  and 
Margate,  where  spacious  chapels  have  since  been  erected. 
The  labours  of  Aldridge  and  Cook  were  not  confined 
to  these  two  spots.  At  Folkstone  they  met  with  much 
encouragement,  and  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  church  and 
congregation  in  that  town.  At  Deal  they  encountered 
great  opposition,  particularly  from  Dr.  Carter,  perpetual 
curate  of  St.  George's  Church,  who  made  many  attempts 
to  create  a  disturbance,  and  at  length  addressed  a  sharp 
remonstrance  to  the  Countess  for  daring  to  intrude  on 
his  parish !  They  also  visited  Canterbury,  preached  in 
the  streets,  and  collected  many  of  the  fruits  of  the 
labours  of  Whitefield  and  Wesley.  They  were  greatly 
assisted  by  Charles  and  Edward  Perronet,  sons  of  the 
venerable  vicar  of  Shoreham,  who  were  at  this  time  resi- 
dents at  Canterbury.  Edward  Perronet  was  afterwards 
employed  by  her  Ladyship  in  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
and  preached  with  considerable  success  in  many  of  her 
chapels  ;  but  when  she  remonstrated  with  him  on  his  open- 
ly-avowed hostility  to  the  Established  Church,  he  quitted 
her  service,  and  preached  in  a  dissenting  chapel.  The 
congregation  at  Canterbury  steadily  increased ;  and  a 
beau.tiful  chapel  was  erected  under  the  auspices  of  Lady 
Ann  Erskine,  and  opened  November  26th,  1797,  by  the 
Hev.  Dr.  Haweis.  The  services  were  well  attended ;  and 
many  of  the  people  came  from  a  great  distance  to  hear 
the  gospel.  Some  of  the  members  of  the  Canterbury 
society  afterwards  procured  a  chapel  at  Ashford,  about 
twelve  miles  from  the  city,  which  was  opened  October 
10th,  1823,  by  the  Kev.  J.  Bloomfield.  Several  other 
places  in  Kent  were  visited  by  Aldridge  and  her  Lady- 
ship's   ministers,    particularly    Maidstone,    Greenhithe, 


336         MEMOIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 


Dartford,    and    Lewisham^    wliere    congregations    were 
gathered,  and  cliapels  erected. 

The  students  from  Trevecca  wove  also  -asefuUj  engaged 
in  the  Midland  Counties  of  England.     In  1771,  they  first 
visited  Staffordshire  and  Warwickshire ;    and    as    there 
were  few  pious  and  faithfal  ministers  of  Christ  in  those 
parts,    their   sphere   was   extensive,    and   their    labours 
heavy.     At  Birmingham,  Wednesburj^,  "Walsall,  Bilston, 
Wolverhampton,  and  many  other  places,  they  preached 
in  the  open  air ;  and  though  they  often  met  with  rough 
usage,  they  never  sustained  any  serious  injury.     Their 
way  had  been   somewhat  prepared  by  the  former  visits 
of  the  Countess  and  her  ministers  to  these  places;  and 
God  smiled  upon  their  labours,  and  made  them  success- 
ful.    The   influence   of  Lord   Dartmouth    was   also    of 
essential  service  to  them  on  many  occasions.   Derbyshire 
had  long  been  the  scene  of  her  Ladyship's  efforts ;   and 
her  students  diligently  cultivated  that  field  of  usefulaess. 
Mr.  Thomas  Jones  preached  at  Alvaston  and  Melbourn, 
stood  up  several  times  in  the  market-place  at  Derby,  and 
hired  a  large  school-room  at  the  back  of  the  Town  Hall. 
The  Countess  shortly  after  sent  Mr.  Griffiths  to  his  assis- 
tance ;  and  they  went  out  together  to  scatter  the  seed  of 
divine  truth.     Whenever  they  came  to  Derby,  they  em- 
ployed the  public   crier  to  annouDce  their  intention  of 
preaching ;  and  in  this  way  they  succeeded  in  raising  a 
large  congregation  in  this  important  town.     Mr.  Middle- 
ton  from  the  College  supplied  there  for  a  short  time,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  fellow-student,  Mr.  Bryson,  a  pop- 
ular preacher,  but  too  impetuous  and  rash  long  to  main- 
tain peace.     A  separation  ensued  ;  and  Thomas  Wilson, 
Esq.;  of  Islington,  purchased  premises  in  the  Brookside 
to  enable  the  seceders  to  erect  a  spacious  meeting-house. 
The  students  also  frequently  preached  in  an  old  Presby- 
terian chapel  at  Ashbourn,  and  gathered  a  congregation. 
A  neat  and   commodious  chapel  was  afterwards  erected 


DORSETSHIRE     AND     DEVONSHIRE.        337 

here  at  the  sole  expense  of  Mr.  John  Cooper,  of  London, 
a  native  of  Ashbourn,  which  was  opened,  May  20th, 
1801.  He  afterwards  erected  a  minister's  house,  and 
seven  almshouses  for  poor  aged  women;  liberally  en- 
dowed them ;  and  invested  the  property  in  the  hands  of 
the  trustees  of  Lady  Huntingdon's  College. 

Several  parts  of  Dorsetshire,  and  Devonshire  were  also 
visited  by  the  students,  where  they  preached  the  simple 
gospel  of  Christ,  wherever  they  could  obtain  a  congre- 
gation. They  met  with  much  opposition  from  the 
worldly-minded  clergy,  and  some  of  the  dissenting  min- 
isters, who  were  unwilling  to  be  aroused  from  their 
lethargy,  and  to  see  their  people  attending  another 
preacher.  The  blessing  of  the  Lord  attended  the  labours 
of  these  students  wherever  they  itinerated ;  sinners  were 
convinced  of  their  evil  ways,  and  directed  to  the  Lamb 
of  God;  and  the  faith  and  love  of  God's  people  were 
stimulated.  They  were  the  pioneers  of  many  laborious 
and  useful  ministers  of  Christ ;  and  the  revival  of  religion 
in  many  parishes,  and  the  formation  of  several  Inde- 
pendent Churches  can  be  traced  to  their  exertions.  It 
could  easily  be  shown,  that  the  students  itinerated  in. 
every  county  in  England ;  but  the  foregoing  details  are 
sufficient  to  indicate  the  importance  of  the  work  which 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  accomplishing,  the  demands  which 
must  have  been  made  on  her  time  and  attention  to  regu- 
late the  itinerancy,  and  the  value  of  her  College  in  fur- 
nishing able  and  devoted  missionaries  to  traverse  England 
and  Wales,  and  evangelize  the  country.  No  wonder  that 
his  Majesty,  George  Til,  exclaimed,  "  I  wish  there  was  a 
Lady  Huntingdon  in  every  diocese  in  the  kingdom." 

The  Countess  manifested  the  most  sincere  affection 
for  her  faithful  students.  She  fostered  their  piety,  stimu- 
lated their  zeal,  provided  for  their  wants,  cheered  them 
with  frequent  letters,  and  Avatched  over  them  with  mater- 
nal tenderness  whenever  they  were  sick.   The  Tabernacle 

2U 


838  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

at  Bristol  had  been  left  destitute  of  regular  supplies,  since 
the  death,  of  Whitefield;  and  the  managers  applied  to 
Lady  Huntingdon  for  the  services  of  her  ministers.  She 
repaired  to  Clifton,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Shipman,  who 
preached  at  the  Tabernacle  with  great  zeal  and  success. 
From  Bristol,  he  was  sent  to  Haverford-West,  where  he 
broke  a  blood-vessel,  and  was  thrown  upon  a  bed  of  sick- 
ness. Many  kind  friends  rallied  around  him,  and 
attempted  to  improve  his  health  by  change  of  scene  and 
air ;  but  to  little  purpose ;  and  he  felt  that  his  days  here 
were  numbered,  and  his  ]abours  ended.  Lady  Hunting- 
don took  the  deepest  interest  in  him  during  his  trying 
illness,  and  wrote  to  him  an  affectionate  letter  to  cheer 
him  in  his  affliction  with  the  consolations  of  the  gospel. 
Three  months  after  her  letter  was  sent,  the  heart  it  was 
designed  to  cheer,  ceased  to  beat.  He  broke  another 
blood-vessel ;  a  violent  cough  caused  him  to  expectorate 
blood ;  and  after  a  few  days,  his  joyful  spirit  departed  for 
the  celestial  regions  to  enjoy  the  presence  of  his  Saviour, 
October  31st,  1771. 

It  was  about  this  period  Lady  Huntingdon  became 
prominent  in  an  affair  which  attracted  considerable  atten. 
tion.  Dr.  Cornwallis,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  had 
eclipsed  all  his  predecessors  in  the  sacred  office  by  the 
magnificent  style  in  which  he  lived.  During  the  winter, 
his  palace  was  crowded  by  gay  and  fashionable  society . 
balls  and  routs  were  frequently  held  there ;  and  his  wife 
took  the  lead  in  the  world  of  fashion  by  the  splendor  of 
her  equipages  and  entertainments.  These  proceedings 
called  forth  the  indignation  of  those  in  whom  there  still 
remained  a  sense  of  propriety;  and  even  the  gay  visitors 
at  the  palace  could  not  restrain  their  wit  and  satire  at  the 
inconsistency  of  such  scenes  in  an  archiepiscopal  resi- 
dence. When  the  affair  was  every  day  becoming  more 
serious.  Lady  Huntingdon  felt  that  the  interests  of  reli- 
gion,  and  the  honour  of    the  Church,    demanded    that 


ARCHBISHOP     OF     CANTERBURY.  339 

some  attempt  sTiould  be  made  to  wipe  away  such  a  scan- 
dal from  tlie  nation.  She  resolved  to  visit  the  Arch- 
bishop in  a  most  private  manner,  and  remonstrate  with 
him  on  the  impropriety  of  such  proceedings.  Accompa- 
nied by  the  Marquis  of  Townshend,  a  distant  relative  of 
the  Archbishop,  she  waited  on  his  Grace  and  represented 
to  him  the  injury  he  was  inflicting  on  the  religious  feel- 
ing of  the  country.  His  Grace  listened  with  patience, 
and  kept  back  his  ire ;  but  Mrs.  Cornwallis  burst  into  a 
passion,  and  ridiculed  and  denounced  Lady  Huntingdon 
in  all  her  fashionable  circles.  The  Countess  made 
another  attempt  privately,  through  Mr.  Madan's  brother, 
who  had  married  his  Grace's  niece ;  but  the  Archbishop 
refused  to  listen  to  the  warning,  and  most  fiercely  de- 
nounced her  and  all  who  sympathized  with  her,  as 
hypocrites  or  fanatics. 

Lady  Huntingdon  felt  too  deeply  concerned  for  the 
honour  of  religion  to  allow  the  affair  to  drop  ;  she,  there- 
fore, applied  for  a  private  audience  with  the  King,  which 
was  most  graciously  granted.  Accompanied  by  Lord 
Dartmouth  and  the  Duchess  of  Ancaster,  she  repaired  to 
the  Palace  at  Kew,  at  the  hour  appointed,  where  their 
Majesties  received  her  with  a  cordial  welcome.  She  nar- 
rated the  motives  which  urged  her  to  take  the  course  she 
had  adopted,  and  how  she  had  been  treated  by  his  Grace. 
The  King  replied  with  great  earnestness,  ''Madam,  the 
feelings  you  have  discovered,  and  the  conduct  you  have 
adopted  on  this  occasion,  are  highly  creditable  to  you. 
The  Archbishop's  behaviour  has  been  slightly  hinted 
to  me  already  ;  but  now  that  I  have  a  certainty  of  his 
proceedings,  and  most  ungracious  conduct  towards  your 
Ladyship,  after  your  trouble  in  remonstrating  with  him, 
I  shall  interpose  my  authority,  and  see  what  that  will  do 
towards  reforming  such  indecent  practices." 

Lady  Huntingdon  remained  with  their  Majesties  for 
more  than  an  hour,  and  conversed  with  them  on  many 


340  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     IIUXTIXGDON. 

topics.  The  King  told  her  that  he  was  acquainted  with 
her  proceedings,  and  complimented  her  on  her  many  be- 
nevolent actions,  and  on  her  zeal  for  the  revival  of  true 
religion.  He  said,  "  I  have  been  told  so  many  odd  sto- 
ries of  your  Ladyship,  that  I  am  free  to  confess  that  I 
felt  a  great  degree  of  curiosity  to  see  if  you  were  at  all 
like  other  women  ;  and  I  am  happy  in  having  an  oppor- 
tunity of  assuring  your  Ladyship  of  the  very  good 
opinion  I  have  of  you,  and  how  very  highly  I  estimate 
your  character,  your  zeal,  and  abilities,  which  cannot  be 
consecrated  to  a  more  noble  purpose."  He  then  referred 
to  her  ministers,  who,  he  understood,  were  eloquent 
preachers.  The  Bishops  were  jealous  of  them ;  and  the 
King  related  a  conversation  he  had  lately  had  with  a 
learned  prelate.  He  had  complained  of  the  conduct  of 
some  of  her  Ladyship's  students  and  ministers,  who  had 
created  a  sensation  in  his  diocese;  and  his  Majesty 
replied,  '^  Make  bishops  of  them — make  bishops  of  them." 
''That  might  be  done,"  replied  the  prelate,  ''but,  please 
your  Majesty,  we  cannot  make  a  bishop  of  Ladj^  Hunt- 
ingdon." The  Queen  rejoined,  "It  would  be  a  lucky 
circumstance  if  you  could,  for  she  puts  you  all  to  shame." 
"Well,"  said  the  King,  "see  if  you  cannot  imitate  the 
zeal  of  these  men.''  His  Lordship  made  some  reply 
which  displeased  the  King,  who  exclaimed  with  great 
animation,  *^  I  wish  there  was  a  Lady  Huntingdon  in  every 
diocese  in  the  kingdom!^''  That  Bishop  never  afterwards 
made  his  appearance  at  court. 

Before  Lady  Huntingdon  departed,  the  Qaeen  insisted 
on  her  taking  some  refreshment,  and  affectionately  in- 
quired after  Lady  Chesterfield,  who  was  a  great  favourite 
with  her  Majesty.  The  King  touchingly  referred  to  his 
father,  and  said,  "I  remember  seeing  your  Ladyship 
when  I  was  young.  You  then  frequented  the  court 
circle ;  and  I  cannot  forget  that  you  were  a  favourite  with 
my  revered  father,  the  Prince  of  Wales."     A  few  days 


THE     KING     AND     QUEEN.  341 

after  the  interview,  the  King  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Archbishop,  expressing  his  regret  that  such  scenes  should 
have  taken  place  in  his  palace,  and  the  hope  that  he  will 
immediately  suppress  them,  under  pain  of  incurring  his 
displeasure. 

The  King  thenceforth  entertained  a  high  opinion  of 
Lady  Huntingdon.  A  short  time  after  the  interview,  he 
said  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  "  I  was  much  taken  with  her 
appearance  and  manner ;  there  is  something  so  noble,  so 
commanding,  and  withal  so  engaging  about  her,  that  I 
am  quite  captivated  with  her  Ladyship.  She  appears  to 
possess  talents  of  a  superior  order,  is  clever,  well-informed, 
and  has  all  the  ease  and  politeness  belonging  to  a  woman 
of  rank.  AVith  all  the  enthusiasm  ascribed  to  her,  she  is 
an  honour  to  her  sex,  and  the  nation."  On  one  occasion. 
Lady  Huntingdon  became  the  subject  of  an  animated 
conversation  at  court ;  when  a  lady  of  high  rank  ob- 
served that  the  most  charitable  construction  she  could 
put  upon  the  actions  of  the  Countess  was  by  affirming 
she  musfbe  deranged.  The  King,  who  had  been  eagerly 
listening,  replied  with  great  earnestness — "Deranged, 
Madam,  did  jom  say?"  ''Yes,  please  your  Majesty," 
said  her  Ladyship,  "for  no  one  could  act  as  she  does  who 
was  not  insane."  She  then  related  the  particulars  of  the 
remonstrance  of  the  Countess  with  the  Archbishop, 
The  Duchess  of  Ancaster  gave  a  significant  look  at  the 
King ;  and  his  Majesty,  with  the  Queen,  laughed  heartily. 
The  Duchess  of  Hamilton,  who  was  present,  feared  that 
the  Lady  would  plunge  deeper  into  the  difficulty,  and 
motioned  her  to  be  silent;  but  the  King,  perceiving  it, 
demanded  of  her  Ladyship  what  Mrs.  Cornwallis  had 
said  of  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  if  his  Grace  had  given 
her  his  blessing.  ''His  blessing!  "  exclaimed  the  aston- 
ished Lad}^,  "no,  indeed,  please  your  Majesty;  she 
had  no  right  to  accept  any  such  favour.  I  don't  know 
what  /  might  not  have  said  had  she  intruded  herself 

29* 


842         MEMOIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

•upon  me  in  a  similar  manner."  Slie  then  turned  to  the 
Duchess  of  Ancaster,  who  was  smiling,  and  said,  '^  if  jomv 
Majesty  wishes  further  information  of  Lad}?-  Huntingdon's 
practices,  I  dare  say  the  Duchess  of  Ancaster  can  give 
you  every  information,  as  she  is  a  great  friend  of  her 
Ladyship."  "  I  am  proud  of  the  friendship  of  such  a 
woman,"  replied  the  Duchess,  ''  and  know  of  nothing  to 
condemn,  but  much  to  commend,  in  the  Countess  of 
Huntingdon."  The  Queen,  perceiving  that  the  Lady  was 
growing  angry,  observed  that  she  had  lately  derived 
much  pleasure  from  the  society  of  Lady  Huntingdon, 
whom  she  considered  a  very  sensible,  clever,  and  good 
woman.  The  Lady  was  astonished ;  and  was  about  to 
withdraw  with  vexation  and  shame,  Avhen  the  King 
came  to  her,  and  kindly  assured  her  that  she  had  been 
greatly  deceived  as  to  the  character  of  Lady  Huntingdon. 
He  asked  her  if  she  had  ever  seen  her,  or  ever  been  in 
her  company;  and  when  she  replied  in  the  negative,  he 
gave  her  this  sensible  advice,  '^  Never  form  your  opinion 
of  any  one  from  the  ill-natured  remarks  and  censures  of 
others.  Judge  for  yourself;  and  you  have  my  leave  to 
tell  everybody  how  highly  I  think  of  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon."* 

The  Countess  was  always  actuated  by  a  religious-patri- 
otic spirit.  While  she  was  doing  her  utmost  to  spread 
evangelical  truth  throughout  the  country,  she  kept  hor 
eye  on  the  movements  of  the  senate,  lest  any  enactment 
injurious  to  religion  should  be  adopted.  About  this 
period  an  event  occurred  which  called  forth  her  most  ac- 
tive exertions.  An  association  was  formed  among  some 
of  the  clergy  and  laity  of  the  Established  Church,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  application  to  Parliament,  praying 
that  a  declaration  of  assent  to  the  sufficienc}^  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  might  be  substituted  for  subscription  to  the 

*  Life  and  Times,  vol.  ii.,  p.  280  et  seq. 


THE     THIRTY -NINE     ARTICLES.  343 

Thirty-nine  Articles.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  decidedly 
attached  to  the  Established  Churchy  and  viewed  this  as 
an  attempt  to  subvert  her  fundamental  doctrines,  and  the 
great  principles  of  the  Reformation.  She,  therefore,  ex- 
erted herself  with  great  ardour  to  prevent  the  success  of 
the  measure.  Petitions  poured  in  from  all  parts  against 
it ;  and  great  opposition  was  anticipated  from  the  U  ni- 
versity  of  Oxford,  Lord  North,  the  First  Lord  of  the 
Treasury,  and  the  whole  body  of  Methodists  and  evan- 
gelical clergy.  The  association  saw  the  rising  storm,  and 
determined  to  present  their  petition  at  once.  There  was 
no  time,  therefore,  to  be  lost;  and  Lady  Huntingdon 
pressed  all  her  friends  into  her  service  to  oppose  the 
measure.  She  personally  waited  on  several  members  of 
the  House  to  secure  their  support,  and  met  with  a  most 
flattering  reception.  Lord  N'orth  assured  her  he  would 
oppose  the  petition,  and  Edmund  Burke,  the  most  distin- 
guished ornament  of  the  English  senate,  sent  her  Lady- 
ship a  letter,  promising  his  aid.  The  petition  was  pre- 
sented in  the  House  of  Commons,  February  6th,  1772. 
The  Association  found  some  difficulty  in  obtaining  a 
suitable  person  to  introduce  it,  but  at  length  prevailed 
upon  Sir  William  Meredith  to  present  it,  and  speak  on 
its  behalf  The  debate  upon  it  was  a  very  animated  one ; 
but  ultimately  the  House  rejected  it  by  a  large  majority, 
the  numbers  being  two  hundred  and  seventeen  against, 
and  only  seventy-one /b?*  receiving  it. 

The  result  was  very  gratifying  to  the  Countess. 
Though  she  was  the  staunch  advocate  of  toleration  and 
religious  freedom,  and  manifested  in  her  example  a 
noble  catholicity  of  spirit,  she  strongly  objected  to  the 
principles  of  the  petition.  She  was  aware  that  Parlia- 
ment could  not  grant  relief  to  those  who  had  already 
subscribed,  as  it  had  no  power  to  nullify  oaths  which 
had  been  sworn;  and  urged  that  reason  and  justice 
would  be  violated,  if  those  who  were  not  beneficed  were 


344  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

permitted  to  seize  the  emoluments  of  the  cliurch,  witli- 
out  believing  her  tenets,  or  complying  with  her  laws. 
She  perfectly  agreed  with  Burke  that^  while  the  Associa- 
tion professed  to  belong  to  the  Establishment,  and  en- 
joyed its  revenues,  no  hardship  was  inflicted  upon 
them,  in  requiring  some  bond  of  agreement  among  its 
members,  such  as  the  subscription  to  the  Thirty-nine 
Articles.  The  intelligent  observer  will  not  fail  to  detect 
the  existence  of  the  feeling,  which  prompted  this  peti- 
tion, among  several  of  the  high-church  clergy  of  the 
present  day. 

In  the  course  of  the  debate  on  this  petition,  several 
favourable  sentiments  were  expressed  respecting  the 
hardship  which  Dissenting  ministers  then  had  to  endure, 
in  being  obliged,  under  heavy  penalties,  to  subscribe  to 
the  Articles  of  the  Establishment ;  and  several  members 
declared  their  readiness  to  support  a  bill  for  their  relief. 
This  favourable  disposition  occasioned  a  meeting  of  min- 
isters in  London  to  consider  the  propriety  of  petitioning 
Parliament  to  release  them  from  their  burdens.  Lady 
Huntingdon  had  for  more  than  thirty  years  cultivated  a 
close  intimacy  with  some  of  the  leading  orthodox  dissen- 
ters ;  many  of  whom  were  as  strongly  attached  to  the 
doctrinal  Articles  of  the  Church,  as  its  strictest  mem- 
bers. Her  Ladyship's  well-known  principles,  her  catho- 
licity, and  her  intimate  friendship  with  many  of  these  min- 
isters, secured  her  cordial  approbation  of  the  measure, 
though  she  deeply  regretted  that  those  most  active  in  it 
professed  theological  and  political  opinions,  with  which 
she  had  little  sympathy.  The  introduction  of  the  mea- 
sure gave  great  alarm  to  the  sti'ict  Church-party,  who 
began  to  imagine  that  there  was  some  deep  design  to 
overthrow  the  Established  Eeligion.  They  accordingly 
opposed  it  warmly,  but  found  the  house  decidedly  in 
favour  of  the  bill.  It  passed  through  the  Commons  by 
a  large  majoi'ity,  but  was  lost  in  the  Lords  on  its  second 


LORD     CHATHAM.  845 

reading;  and  thus  justice  towards  the  Dissenters  was  for 
a  time  delayed. 

It  was  during  this  debate  that  Dr.  Drummond,  Arch- 
bishop of  York,  attacked  the  Dissenting  Ministers  as 
men  of  ambition,  which  called  forth  the  memorable  re- 
ply from  the  celebrated  Lord  Chatham.  He  said,  ''The 
Dissenting  Ministers  are  represented  as  men  of  close 
ambition  ;  they  are  so,  my  Lords ;  and  their  ambition  is 
to  keep  close  to  the  college  of  fishermen,  not  of  cardinals  • 
and  to  the  doctrine  of  inspired  apostles,  not  to  decrees 
of  interested  and  aspiring  bishops.  They  contend  for  a 
scriptural  creed,  and  spiritual  worship ;  we  have  a  Cal- 
vinistic  creed,  a  Popish  liturgy,  and  an  Arminian  clergy. 
The  Keformation  has  laid  open  the  Scriptures  to  all;  let 
not  the  bishops  shut  them  again.  Laws  in  support  of 
ecclesiastical  power  are  pleaded,  which  it  would  shock 
humanity  to  execute.  It  is  said  that  religious  sects 
have  done  great  mischief  when  they  were  not  kept 
under  restraint ;  but  history  affords  no  proof  that  sects 
have  been  mischievous,  when  they  were  not  oppressed 
and  persecuted  by  the  ruling  church." 


346  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON 


CHAPTER  XX.    A.D.    1772—1773. 

WHITEFIELD's  will. —  CORNELIUS  WINTER.  —  AMERICAN 
MISSIONS.  —  SELECTION  OF  MISSIONARIES.  —  EMBARKA- 
TION.— SUCCESS  IN  AMERICA. — DESTRUCTION  OF  THE 
ORPHAN  HOUSE  BY  FIRE. — AMERICAN  WAR. — SIERRA 
LEONE  MISSIONS. — LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  BATH. — REV. 
THOMAS  WILLS. — CHAPELS  AT  YORK  AND  HULL. — REV. 
JOSEPH  MILNER — DEATH  OF  LORD  AND  LADY  CHES- 
TERFIELD.— THE  COUNTESS  DELITZ. — HOWELL  HARRIS. 
— OPENING   OF   WORCESTER   CHAPEL. 

The  death  of  George  Whitefield  was  an  important 
event  in  the  career  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  Though  it 
deprived  her  of  his  valuable  services,  and  for  some  time 
cast  a  gloom  over  her  circle,  it  opened  up  to  her  a  large 
field  of  usefulness  which  she  was  determined  to  cultivate 
with  the  greatest  assiduity.  Her  mind  had  long  been 
deeply  interested  in  the  spiritual  welfare  of  America ;  she 
had  waited  for  an  opportunity  of  sending  forth  mission- 
aries to  the  Indians,  and  had  some  years  before  expressed 
the  hope  ''  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  extend  some  aid  to 
this  interesting  people."  Early  in  1771,  Mr.  Cornelius 
Winter,  who  had  accompanied  Whitefield  to  America, 
arrived  in  England  with  her  chaplain's  will,  which  be- 
queathed to  Lady  Huntingdon  the  landed  estates  and 
buildings  connected  with  the  Orphan  House  in  Georgia, 
that  she  might  carry  on  and  extend  his  benevolent  inten- 
tions towards  the  African  negroes. 

Mr.  Winter  also  brousrht  letters  from  the  Governor  of 


whitefield's   will.  347 

the  province,  and  tlie  rector  of  Savannah,  recommending 
him  to  the  Bishop  of  London  for  ordination,  that  he 
might  return  to  the  colony,  and  labour  as  an  episcopal 
clergyman.  He  obtained  an  interview  with  the  Bishop, 
who  interrogated  him  as  to  his  proceedings  in  America, 
and  his  connection  with  Whitefield.  The  prelate  pro- 
nounced a  very  harsh  sentence  upon  him,  denounced  his 
labours  as  illegal,  refused  to  listen  to  the  petition  of  his 
friends  in  Georgia,  and  denied  him  episcopal  ordination. 
Mr.  Winter  used  every  exertion  among  the  friends  of  the 
Bishop  to  induce  him  to  entertain  his  application ;  he 
again  waited  upon  him,  stated  his  peculiar  situation,  and 
said,  ''I  cannot  think  of  returning  to  America  in  my 
present  condition."  His  Lordship,  however,  was  inexo- 
rable ;  and  Winter  was  obliged  to  write  to  his  friends  in 
America,  and  communicate  to  them  the  failure  of  his 
mission.  Their  disappointment  was  very  great;  they 
had  indulged  the  hope  of  having  pious  ministers  *of  the 
Church  of  England  labouring  among  them ;  and  they 
condemned  strongly  the  impolicy  and  bigotry  of  the 
prelate,  who  forced  them  to  accept  the  services  of  dis- 
senting ministers,  by  refusing  to  ordain  a  man  Avho  was 
eminently  qualified  for  the  work,  and  was  acquainted 
Avith  the  peculiarities  of  the  colony. 

James  Habersham,  Esq.,  the  President  of  the  Council, 
and  an  early  and  intimate  friend  of  Whitefield,  was  ap- 
pointed the  executor  of  his  affairs  in  Georgia,  and  in 
case  he  survived  her  Ladyship,  was  to  receive  the  estate 
of  the  Orphan  House.  The  Governor  and  the  Council 
of  Georgia  had  been  led  to  expect  that,  on  the  death  of 
Whitefield,  the  Institution  would  be  placed  under  their 
control,  and  were  rather  surprised  when  they  learnt  the 
tenor  of  his  will ;  but  the  name  of  Lady  Huntingdon 
was  quite  sufficient  to  secure  their  confidence,  and  sym- 
pathy. 

The  refusal  of  the  Bishop  to  ordain  Mr.  Winter  caused 


848  M  E  ]\r  0  I  R     OF     LADY     IT  U  X  T  I  X  G  D  0  N  . 

Ladj  Huntingdon  great  uneasiness.  The  Orphan  House 
was  by  no  means  in  a  flourishing  condition ;  the  number 
of  inmates  was  small ;  and  there  was  very  little  indica- 
tion of  religion  among  them.  The  venerable  Countess^ 
therefore,  directed  her  chief  efforts  towards  this  spot; 
and  with  all  the  ardour  and  activity  of  youth,  commen- 
ced her  labours  among  the  sable  sons  of  Africa,  thousands 
of  whom  at  the  present  time  pronounce  her  name  with 
affection  and  gratitude.  She  secured  the  assistance  of 
Governor  Wright  aud  President  Habersham,  and  pur- 
chased additional  estates  in  the  colony ;  and  after  settling 
satisfactorily  all  the  legal  affairs  of  the  Institution,  made 
vigorous  preparations  to  send  over  a  President  and 
Teacher  for  the  Orphan  House,  and  such  students  as 
were  willing  to  devote  themselves  as  missionaries  to  the 
heathen.,  She  wrote  to  all  her  students  and  ministers 
labouring  in  England,  Wales,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  and 
inclosed  a  printed  circular,  stating  that,  her  affairs  in 
America  being  fully  settled,  she  intends  to  provide  for  the 
wants  of  the  Orphan  House,  and  to  furnish  missionaries 
to  carry  the  gospel,  not  only  into  the  provinces,  but  also 
into  the  back  settlements,  and  among  the  heathen  tribes. 
She  requests  all  her  friends  to  meet  her  at  the  College 
early  in  October  to  arrange  this  matter,  and  the  plan  of 
home  efforts.  The  circular  concludes,  ''As  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon supposes  this  the  most  important  event  of  her 
whole  life,  so  all  that  bear  her  any  regard,  in  connexion 
with  her,  she  must  intreat  to  be  present;  and  is  bound 
to  believe  great  blessings  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
will  descend  upon  all  who  are  made  willing  to  help  her 
with  their  presence  and  prayers." 

The  students  accordingly  hastened  to  Trevecca,  where 
a  series  of  solemn  services  were  held  to  commemorate 
the  joyful  event  of  sending  forth  missionaries  to  the 
heathen,  many  years  before  the  first  missionary  society 
was  organized  in  England.     Lady  Huntingdon  had  been 


THE     EMBAEKATIOI^J'.  849 

staying  for  a  short  time  at  Oathall ;  and  on  her  way  to 
Wales,  she  visited  Bath  and  Bristol.  On  the  2nd  of 
October,  she  left  for  Trevecca  in  the  company  of  Messrs. 
Shirley,  Piercy  the  intended  President,  Lloyd,  Wilson, 
and  others ;  and  was  met  by  some  of  her  students  at 
Abergavenny,  where  she  passed  the  night.  In  the  morn- 
ing the  whole  party  set  off  to  the  College.  Several  of 
her  students  started  to  meet  their  noble  patroness  on  the 
road  ;  and  when  the  entire  company  approached  the  Col- 
lege, the  inmates  welcomed  them  with  the  stirring  hymn, 
"  Welcome,  welcome,  blessed  servants.''''  At  length  the  day 
for  the  selection  of  the  students  arrived ;  and  many  wil- 
lingly offered  themselves  for  the  service  of  the  Lord  in 
America.  They  were  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  mission- 
ary work,  October  9th,  1772,  a  day  which  was  set  apart 
at  all  her  Ladyship's  chapels  for  earnest  prayer  to  God 
that  his  blessing  might  rest  on  her  enterprise.  She  im- 
mediately wrote  to  her  friends  in  America,  and  requested 
them  to  have  everything  prepared  for  receiving  the  Pre- 
sident, the  Master,  and  the  Students. 

The  missionaries  embarked  on  the  vessel  which  was  to 
convey  them  to  their  destination,  on  the  27th  of  October, 
and  sailed  down  the  river  to  Gravesend.  A  vast  company 
had  assembled  to  witness  their  departure,  and  to  bid  them 
an  affectionate  farewell.  The  sides  of  the  river  were 
crowded  with  eager  spectators ;  and  many  were  the 
silent  prayers  breathed  to  heaven  for  the  success  of  the 
mission.  At  length,  the  moment  of  separation  came ; 
the  last  adieu  was  u.ttered ;  the  m^ariners  steadily  plied 
their  oars ;  and  the  boats  swiftly  glided  towards  the 
vessel.  The  multitudes  watched  them  for  some  time ; 
waved  their  hats  and  handkerchiefs  as  a  final  recognition  ; 
and  turned  from  the  scene  with  mingled  joy  and  sadness. 
The  missionaries  were  deeply  affected  with  their  last 
interview  ;  they  felt  the  pang  which  most  feel  in  bidding 
farewell  to  their  native  land,  perhaps  for  ever ;  but  they 

30 


350         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON.  I 

also  felt  the  inspiring  influence  of  the  noble  object  before  j 
them,  and  were  prepared  to  count  all  things  but  loss  for  I 
Christ.  They  had  consecrated  themselves  to  him;  and  - 
thej  now  braved  the  dangers  of  the  deep,  and  the  perils  i 
of  a  foreign  clime,  that  they  might  become  the  heralds 
of  his  salvation,  and  the  promoters  of  the  happiness  of 
man. 

The  vessel  remained  at  Gravesend  for  some  days;  and        j 
Mr.    Piercy   embraced   the   opportunity   of    once    more       \ 
preaching  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  his  countrymen. 
He  returned  to  London;  and  on  the  ensuing  Sabbath        i 
preached  to  very  crowded  congregations  at  the  Totten-        ^ 
ham-court  chapel,  and  the  Tabernacle.     During  the  week,        ] 
he  preached  a  farewell  sermon  at  Woolwich,  and  to  an        ! 
immense  multitude  on  Tower  Hill.  At  length  the  anchor        | 
was  weighed;  a   gentle   breeze   sprang   up,  and   carried        ! 
til  em  into  the  channel.      It  soon  veered  into  a  contrary        j 
direction,  and  detained  the  vessel  in  the  Downs  off  Dover.        \ 
Mr.  Cook,  one  of  the  missionaries,  wished  to  bid  farewell        i 
to  his  friends  in  that  town,  and  obtained  permission  from 
the  captain  to  land.     He  surprised  the  congregation  by 
his  unexpected  arrival,  and  preached  a  glowing  sermon 
to  them  ;  and  on  the   following  Sunday  several  of  the        I 
students  resolved  to  land  and  preach  in  Dover.     It  was 
unfortunate  for  them  that  they  did  so  ;  for  in  the  night  a       i 
brisk  gale  sprang  tip,  the  anchor  was  weighed,  and  the       i 
ship  sailed  without  them.     With  the  exception  of  two        j 
Avho  remained  in  England,  they,  however,  proceeded  to        1 
their  destination  by  the  next  vessel ;  and  after  a  pros-        1 
perous  voyage,  they  all  safely  arrived  in  America,  thank-        ; 
ful  to  God  for  his  merciful  kindness,  and  eager  to   com-        i 
mence  the  work  of  the  Lord.*  Lady  Huntingdon  had  taken 

*  Their  names  were  Piercy,  the  President,  and  Crosse,  Master  of  the  i 

Oiphan    House;    and   Messrs.  John    Cosson,  William    White,  Joseph  1 

Cook,  Daniel  Roberts,  Thomas  Jones,  Thomas  Hill,  and  Lewis  Richards,  j 

Missionaries.  1 


SUCCESS     IN     AMERICA.  351 

great  pains  to  secure  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  her 
labourers  ;  she  furnished  them  with  everything  necessary  • 
and  drew  up  certain  regulations  for  them  to  observe  on 
their  voyage,  that  they  might  foster  each  other's  piety 
and  zeal.  She  recommended  them  to  hold  daily  public 
service,  and  to  set  apart  certain  portions  of  the  day  for 
prayer,  conversation,  and  reading,  that  they  might  be 
better  prepared  to  commence  their  work  on  their  arrival 
at  Georgia. 

They  were  received  with  the  greatest  cordiality  by  the 
friends  of  Whitefield ;  and  immediately  proceeded  to  the 
Orphan  House,  which  had  been  fitted  up  for  their  recep- 
tion. They  could  not,  however,  long  remain  inactive,  or 
silent.  Their  warm  hearts  glowed  with  the  love  of 
Christ ;  their  tongues  had  often  proclaimed  the  Saviour 
in  the  towns  and  villages  of  England ;  and  they,  there- 
fore, at  once  commenced  their  efibrts  in  their  new  sphere. 
They  drew  up  a  comprehensive  plan  for  their  guidance, 
travelled  to  all  parts  of  the  country,  preached  to  many 
congregations  in  the  provinces,  appeared  among  the  set- 
tlers in  remote  districts,  visited  the  wandering  Indian 
tribes,  and  preached  the  gospel  to  the  negroes.  Their 
labours  were  eminently  successful ;  and  many  from  each 
district  were  converted  to  Christ,  and  rejoiced  in  his  sal- 
vation. The  tidings  of  their  zeal  and  success  soon  spread 
far  and  wide  ;  and  invitations  to  visit  dark  places  became 
more  numerous  than  they  could  meet.  Lady  Hunting- 
don says : — 

'  America  is  honoured  by  the  mission  sent  over.  The 
province  of  Georgia  have  made  proposals  to  build  a  church 
at  their  own  expense,  and  present  me  with  it,  that  the 
College  of  Georgia  may  have  their  ministry  in  that  part 
honoured.  The  invitations  I  have  for  our  ministry  in 
various  parts  of  America  are  so  kind  and  affectionate, 
that  it  looks  as  if  we  were  to  have  our  way  free  through 
the  whole  continent.  *  ^^  ^  My  last  letters  from  America 


852         MEMOIR     OF    LADY    HUNTINGDON. 

inform  me  our  way  appears  to  be  made  to  the  Cherokee 
Indians ;  and  in  all  the  back  settlements  we  are  assured 
the  people  will  jo3^fully  build  us  churches  at  their  own 
expense,  and  present  them  to  us,  to  settle  perpetually  for 
our  use.  Some  great,  very  great  work  is  intended  by  the 
Lord  among  the  heathen.  Should  this  appear  I  should 
rejoice  to  go  myself  to  establish  a  College  for  the  Indian 
nations.  I  canH  help  thinking  hut  before  I  die  the  Lord  luill 
have  me  there,  if  only  to  make  coats  and  garments  for  the 
looor  Indians.  I  am  looking  when  some  from  among  us  shall 
he  called  to  the  Jews  ;  but  the  Gentiles  by  us  will  surely 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord." 

What  significant  language  is  this,  from  the  lips  of  the 
venerable  Countess !  She  was  now  in  her  sixty- seventh 
year,  yet  her  zeal  and  energy  were  apparently  increasing 
with  her  years !  Her  present  labours  were  quite  suffi- 
cient to  occupy  several  persons  of  average  ability ;  but 
they  did  not  satisfy  her  longing  heart.  Her  mind  was 
ever  devising  some  fresh  scheme  by  which  she  could 
glorify  God,  and  successively  contemplated  the  accom- 
plishment of  those  mighty  designs  which  are  now  being 
realized  by  established  Societies.  She  was  far  in  advance 
of  her  times,  and  represented  in  her  own  person  the  home 
missionary,  the  foreign  missionary,  and  the  missionary  to 
the  Jews  !  The  Christian  Church  now  feels  that  it  is  her 
solemn  duty  to  support  those  societies  which  are  formed 
to  carry  out  these  objects. 

The  fair  prospect  in  America  was  soon  blighted,  and 
covered  with  desolation.  Her  Ladyship's  hope  was  fixed 
on  the  Orphan  House,  as  the  centre,  whence  the  influence 
of  civilization  and  religion  should  stream  into  the  be- 
nighted districts.  It  had  been  established  by  Whitefield 
for  the  protection  of  poor  orphans,  the  education  of  ne- 
groes, and  the  preparation  of  some  of  the  young  men  as 
instructors  and  preachers.  During  his  lifetime,  he  had 
manifested  the  greatest  interest  for  the  African  race;  and 


DESTRUCTION    OF    THE    ORPHAN    HOUSE.   353 

though  he  had  purchased  a  number  of  slaves  for  his 
estates,  he  had  treated  them  with  the  greatest  kindness, 
and  was  the  friend  of  the  negro  throughout  the  colony. 
After  his  death,  the  managers  expended  considerable 
sums  of  money  in  purchasing  fresh  slaves  to  work  the 
rice  and  indigo  plantations  connected  with  the  College ; 
and  when  Lady  Huntingdon  came  into  possession  of  the 
property,  there  were  no  less  than  fifty  negroes  on  the 
estate ;  and  her  Ladyship  directed  the  first  remittance  of 
money  to  be  expended  in  the  purchase  of  a  female  slave 
to  be  named  after  her  Selina  !  The  claims  of  the  poor 
slaves,  and  the  horrid  brutality  to  which  they  were  sub- 
jected had  not  yet  been  brought  before  the  people  of 
England  by  their  great  champions,  Clarkson  and  Wilber- 
force;  and  the  Countess  was  unwittingl}^  encouraging 
the  trade  by  her  example.  It  must,  however,  in  justice  be 
recorded  that,  when  the  venerable  Anthony  Beuezet,  the 
friend  of  the  negro,  wrote  to  her  Ladyship,  representing 
the  horrors  of  the  slave  traf&c,  which  her  managers  were 
encouraging,  she  expressed  her  determination  no  longer 
to  countenance  it,  but  to  use  every  means  to  prevent  it. 

The  affairs  at  Savannah  appear  to  have  been  wretch- 
edly managed;  and  during  her  Ladyship's  lifetime,  her 
American  business  occasioned  her  great  anxiety,  ex- 
pense, and  disappointment.  Kot  many  months  after  the 
arrival  of  the  missionaries,  the  Orphan  House  was  acci- 
dentally destroyed  by  fire ;  and  though  no  lives  were 
lost,  it  caused  the  destruction  of  many  thousand  pounds' 
worth  of  property.  This,  however,  was  but  the  com- 
mencement of  her  troubles.  The  deadly  war  between 
England  and  America  soon  put  an  end  to  the  efforts  of 
her  missionaries,  and  obliged  them  to  leave  the  country; 
though  Mr.  Piercy  could  not  leave  till  the  reduction  of 
Charleston  by  the  English  in  1780,  when  he  found  an 
opportunity  of  returning  to  Europe.  During  the  time 
he  had  been  in  Georgia,  he  had  not  forwarded  to  her 

30* 


85tt  MEMOIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Ladyship  any  account  of  her  affairs;  and  she  accord- 
ingly wrote  to  him  soon  after  his  arrival  at  Cork,  and 
requested  him  to  furnish  her  with  an  abstract  of  his 
accounts,  that  she  might  refute  some  insinuations  which 
had  been  made  against  his  character.  After  many 
delays,  he  repaired  to  Bath  in  1781,  and  presented  to 
her  such  an  explanation  of  her  affairs  in  Georgia  as 
satisfied  her  mind.  Shortly  after,  however,  several 
things  occurred  which  led  her  to  suspect  that  all  was  not 
right  in  his  accounts ;  and  in  a  long  letter  to  her  niece 
Mrs.  Mills,  she  enters  into  the  various  transactions,  and 
shows  how  he  had  appropriated  all  the  revenues  of  the 
estates  during  the  six  years  he  was  there.  She  says 
"My  poor  heart  is  sadly  perplexed  in  this  affair." 

The  treaty  of  peace  in  1783  enabled  the  Countess  to 
send  over  another  person  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the 
Orphan  House,  plantations,  and  her  own  property.  She 
now  resolved  to  convert  the  revenues  of  all  the  Ameri- 
can estates  into  a  fund  for  the  establishment  of  a  mis- 
sion to  the  Indians  on  a  large  scale.  A  plan  was  drawn 
out,  and  students  w^ere  to  have  been  sent  from  Trevecca 
to  carry  it  into  effect;  but  the  Americans  had  taken  pos- 
session of  the  property  during  the  war ;  and  though  her 
manager  remained  there  till  her  death,  and  she  vested 
the  property  in  trust  by  her  will,  the  General  Assembly 
appointed  their  own  trustees,  and  finally  retained  posses- 
sion of  the  whole. 

The  efforts  of  Lady  Huntingdon  in  America,  however, 
were  productive  of  the  happiest  results.  Several  of  the 
negroes  were  converted  to  the  Lord,  and  were  the  means 
of  introducing  the  gospel  into  their  own  country.  In 
the  dreadful  conflict  between  England  and  the  colonies 
many  of  the  blacks  had  taken  part  with  the  British 
troops ;  and  soon  after  the  termination  of  the  war,  the 
government  sent  them  to  ISTova  Scotia,  where  they  were 
instructed  by  the  Eev.  Messrs.  Fomage,   John  Marrant, 


REV.     THOMAS     WILLS.  355 

and  otlier  of  her  Ladyship's  ministers.  In  1792  a  large 
number  of  these  negroes  gladly  embraced  the  ojDportu- 
nity,  offered  them  by  the  government,  of  settling  at 
Sierra  Leone  in  Africa,  where  a  colony  of  liberated 
slaves  had  been  founded.  They  quickly  raised  chapels, 
and  appointed  preachers ;  and  have  continued  to  worship 
the  Lord  in  the  mode  taught  them  by  her  ministers. 
They  have  extended  their  labours  in  all  directions; 
erected  spacious  chapels,  opened  schools,  and  established 
an  organized  band  of  native  preachers.  It  is  to  this 
interesting  people  the  attention  of  her  Missionary  Society 
is  directed,  that  by  aiding  this  devoted  band  of  negroes, 
from  Sierra  Leone  the  gospel  may  spread  into  the  inte- 
rior of  Africa,  and  subjugate  the  tribes  to  Jesus. 

While  Lady  Huntingdon  was  thus  promoting  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  in  America,  she  was  by  no  means 
unmindful  of  the  claims  of  home.  Her  College  was  fall 
of  earnest  students,  who  were  engaged  every  Sabbath  in 
preaching  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation ;  and  her  labori- 
ous ministers  were  zealously  proclaiming  the  gospel  at 
her  most  important  chapels.  She  never  remained  long  in 
one  place ;  but  visited  the  localities  where  she  had  erec- 
ted places  of  worship,  that  she  might  witness  the  success 
of  her  plans,  and  cheer  the  people  with  her  presence.  In 
the  month  of  September  1772,  she  went  to  Bath  with 
Mr.  Shirley,  where  she  was  introduced  to  the  Kev. 
Thomas  Wills,  curate  of  St.  Agnes,  Cornwall,  who  be- 
came a  celebrated  preacher  in  her  Connexion.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  power  in  the  pulpit,  and  was  indefatigable 
in  his  parochial  exertions.  His  church  was  crowded  with 
eager  listeners,  who  were  noted  for  their  early  attendance ; 
and  he  frequently  preached  to  thousands  of  hearers  in 
the  open  air.  His  continued  labours  so  impaired  his 
health,  that  he  was  recommended  to  Bath  for  the  benefit 
of  the  waters ;  where  he  often  preached  at  her  Ladyship's 
chapel,  and  soon  became  extremely  popular  in  the  city. 


856        MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Two  years  after  lie  renewed  his  visit,  and  preached  with 
great  success  at  the  chapeL  It  was  then  he  became  con- 
nected with  Lady  Huntingdon,  by  his  marriage  with  her 
niece,  Miss  Selina  Wheeler,  a  pious  and  devoted  young 
lady,  who  had  for  some  years  resided  with  her,  and  with 
whom  she  was  a  great  favourite. 

The  number  of  Lady  Huntingdon's  chapels  was  rapidly 
increasing  in  all  parts  of  the  country ;  and  numerous  ap- 
plications were  made  for  her  to  erect  new  places  of 
worship  in  dark  and  populous  localities.  Shortly  after 
the  establishment  of  her  College  in  Wales,  she  erected  a 
chapel  in  College  Street,  York ;  which  was  regularly 
supplied  by  students  from  Trevecca  till  after  her  death, 
when  a  new  chapel  was  erected,  and  the  people  formed 
into  an  independent  church,  with  Mr.  Wydown  as  their 
pastor.  Her  students  were  also  invited  to  Hull  by  Mr. 
Edward  Riddell,  who  had  separated  from  the  church,  and 
represented  to  Lady  Huntingdon  that  a  new  place  of 
worship  was  much  needed  in  that  locality.  She  sent  stu- 
dents to  preach  to  the  people,  and  erected  a  neat  chapel 
which  was  speedily  filled  with  hearers.  Among  the  con- 
verts was  a  person  who  held  a  high  position  in  Hull,  and 
was  connected  with  a  learned  dignitary  of  the  church. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Milner  was  a  native  of  Leeds,  and 
had  been  elected  the  head-master  of  the  grammar  school, 
and  afternoon  lecturer  of  the  principal  church  at  Hull. 
His  school  rapidly  increased  ;  and  he  won,  by  his  integ- 
rity and  zeal,  the  esteem  of  the  chief  inhabitants,  and 
the  favour  of  the  corporation  of  the  town.  He  was, 
however,  spiritually  dark,  and  had  confused  notions  of 
the  plan  of  salvation.  One  day,  he  was  led  to  hear  one 
of  her  Ladyship's  students,  whose  discourse  so  impressed 
his  heart  that  he  often  attended  their  ministry  at  the 
chapel.  The  truth  enlightened  his  soul ;  he  saw  his  be- 
nighted condition ;  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  rose 
clearly  before  his  mind ;  and  the  love  of  Christ  warmed 


REV.     JOSEPH     MILNER.  857 

liis  heart.  He  made  many  inquiries  respecting  Lady 
Huntingdon;  her  College^  doctrines,  chapels,  &c. ;  and  in- 
timated a  desire  to  correspond  with  her.  She  accordingly 
wrote  to  him  ;  and  afterwards  maintained  a  spirited  cor- 
respondence with  this  eminent  minister. 

The  light  which  had  shone  upon  his  mind  was  speedily 
reflected  in  his  pulpit  ministrations.  His  hearers  soon 
discovered  the  change  which  had  passed  over  him ;  and 
though  convinced  of  his  earnestness  and  piety,  they 
quickly  manifested  their  hostility.  The  higher  classes 
deserted  his  ministry,  except  when  once  a  year^  he 
preached  officially  as  chaplain  to  the  Mayor;  but  the 
people  heard  him  gladly,  and  crowded  to  his  church. 
He  speedily  became  the  object  of  sarcasm  and  reproach ; 
he  was  banished  from  the  circles  where  formerly  he  had 
been  welcomed ;  and  was  called  a  Methodist,  an  enthu- 
siast, a  madman !  He,  however,  persevered  in  his  course  ; 
he  laboured  more  diligently  in  his  school  and  church, 
and  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  that,  after  many  years 
of  storm,  the  prosperous  gale  had  set  in,  and  that  he  had 
regained  the  affection  of  his  former  friends.  A  few 
years  after  his  conversion,  one  of  the  students,  William 
Tyler,  came  to  reside  at  Hull  for  a  short  time  to  preach 
at  the  Independent  chapel.  Mr.  Milner  became  intimate 
with  this  young  man,  and  in  the  course  of  their  friend- 
ship he  found  that  his  mind  was  inclined  towards  the 
Establishment,  and  proposed  that  he  should  go  to  Cam- 
bridge, and  obtain  episcopal  ordination.  Mr.  Tyler 
consented  to  do  so  with  the  approbation  of  his  patroness ; 
and  Milner  wrote  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  stated  his 
reasons  for  urging  this  upon  his  attention.  She  returned 
a  long  letter  encouraging  him  to  go  on  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  relinquishing  her  claims  on  Mr.  Tyler,  and 
testifying  to  his  zeal  and  abilities ;  and  presented  an  ac- 
count of  the  pleasing  state  of  her  affairs.  "  I  have  much 
pleasure,"  she  says,  '^  to  tell  you  that  the  work  amongst 


358  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

US  is  very  generally  on  the  increase ;  and  very  many  in 
the  large  towns  where  I  have  chapels  have  felt  the  saving 
efficacy  of  redeeming  love,  and  the  quickening  grace  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  ^  ^  ^  It  affords  me  the  most  cordial 
satisfaction  to  see  a  goodly  number  of  godly  young  men 
offering  themselves  to  the  service  of  our  adorable 
Saviour,  of  whose  talents  and  piety  I  judge  most  favour- 
ably. The  school  of  the  prophets  at  my  beloved  Tre- 
vecca  affords  great  advantages  to  young  men,  as  prepa- 
ratory to  the  work,  and  so  easy  of  access ;  but  the 
labourers  are  still  few,  and  the  harvest  plenteous." 

During  the  year  1773,  Lady  Huntingdon  lost  several 
of  her  valuable  friends  by  death.  Lord  Chesterfield  had 
been  for  a  long  time  in  a  state  of  great  feebleness  and 
despondency.  His  intimate  friendship  with  the  Earl  of 
Huntingdon  often  brought  him  into  the  company  of  her 
Ladyship,  who  used  every  opportunity  of  reminding  him 
of  the  value  of  religion.  He  had  manifested  great  kind- 
ness to  her  and  her  children,  and  had  sp  often  attended 
the  preaching  of  her  ministers  that  she  indulged  the  hope 
that  his  heart  had  been  impressed  with  the  truth.  His 
last  moments  dissipated  her  cherished  desires.  He  re- 
fused to  see  Kowland  Hill,  afterwards  chaplain  to  his 
widow ;  triflingly  called  death  but  a  leap  in  the  dark ; 
and  closed  his  earthly  career,  March  24:th,  1773.  Lady 
Huntingdon  was  with  him  a  short  time  before  he  died, 
and  says,  "the  blackness  of  darkness,  accompanied  by 
every  gloomy  horror,  thickened  most  awfully  around  his 
dying  moments." 

Lady  Chesterfield  suffered  great  anguish  of  mind,  and 
survived  her  lord  but  a  few  years.  She  had  been  dis- 
tinguished among  the  noble  circle  of  friends  which  sur- 
rounded Lady  Huntingdon,  by  her  devout  piety,  and  her 
activity  in  the  service  of  Christ.  She  had  borne  with 
meekness  the  reproaches  of  the  fashionable  and  the  gay, 
when  she  accompanied  his  Lordship  to  the  court.     The 


DEATH     OF     HOWELL     HARRIS.  359 

last  time  sTie  visited  the  royal  circle,  she  wore  an  elegant 
brown  silk  dress  covered  with  silver  flowers,  which  Lord 
Chesterfield  had  procured  from  the  continent  at  great 
expense.  His  Majesty,  George  II,  was  well  aware  that 
her  Ladyship  was  in  the  habit  of  attending  the  drawing- 
room  services  of  Lady  Huntingdon ;  and  coming  up  to 
her,  he  said,  smiling,  ''  I  know  who  chose  that  gown  for 
you, — Mr.  Whitefield ;  and  I  hear  you  have  attended  on 
him  this  year  and  a  half."  Lady  Chesterfield  replied, 
"Yes,  I  have,  and  like  him  much,"  though  she  afterwards 
regretted  that  she  did  not  say  more  on  the  subject.  She 
died  September  16th,  1778.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  with 
her  to  the  last,  and  witnessed  her  triumjDhant  departure. 
The  last  words  she  uttered  were  the  words  of  the  publi- 
can ;  for  taking  the  Countess'  hand,  she  eagerly  clasped 
it  and  exclaimed,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

The  Countess  Delitz,  the  sister  of  Lady  Chesterfield, 
was  another  trophy  of  the  grace  of  God,  which  had  been 
secured  at  her  Ladyship's  residence.  She  had,  with  Lady 
Chesterfield,  for  many  years  been  accustomed  to  throw 
open  her  mansion  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  where 
many  distinguished  ministers  laboured  with  great  success 
among  the  nobility.     She  died  November  2nd,  1773. 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  at  her  beloved  College  during 
the  summer,  where  she  was  called  to  part  with  her  old 
friend  and  fellow-labourer,  Howell  Harris.  In  a  letter  to 
Eomaine,  dated  July  29th,  1773,  after  recording  the 
dying  sayings  of  the  saint,  she  says  : — 

"  And  thus  this  good  man  went  home  to  rest.  It  is 
impossible  to  describe  the  grief  that  is  manifested  every 
where,  on  account  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Harris;  he  was  so 
beloved,  and  so  esteemed  as  the  spiritual  father  of  multi- 
tudes who  were  converted  under  his  powerful  preaching, 
and  enabled  to  venture  their  souls  upon  an  infinite 
Saviour,  entirely  depending  on  his  righteousness  for  the 
acceptance  of  their  persons  and  services.     Truly  his  loss 


060  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

is  felt  at  tlie  College,  where  many  were  awakened  by  his 
lively  ministry.  The  last  time  he  preached  at  the  Col- 
lege, there  was  as  great  a  crowd  as  usual;  and  his 
preaching  was  as  searching  and  as  ronsing  as  ever.  *  ^  * 
He  spake  as  became  the  oracles  of  God  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  and  of  power ;  and  especially  when  he  came 
to  his  application,  he  addressed  himself  to  the  audience 
in  such  a  tender,  earnest,  and  moving  manner,  inciting 
us  to  come  and  be  acquainted  with  the  dear  Kede-emer, 
as  melted  the  assembly  into  tears. 

''On  the  day  he  was  interred,  we  had  some  special 
seasons  of  Divine  influence,  both  upon  converted  and 
unconverted.  It  was  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten ;  but, 
I  think,  ought  to  be  remembered  with  holy  wonder  and 
holy  gratitude  by  all  who  were  present.  Not  fewer  than 
twenty  thousand  people  were  assembled  on  the  solemn  occa- 
sion ;  and  we  had  abundance  of  students  in  the  College,  and 
all  the  ministers  and  exhorters  who  collected  from  vari- 
ous parts  to  pay  their  last  tribute  to  the  remains  of  a 
great  man.  A¥e  had  three  stages  erected,  and  nine  ser- 
mons addressed  to  the  vast  multitudes,  hundreds  of  whom 
were  dissolved  in  tears.  Fifteen  clergymen  were  present, 
six  of  whom  blew  the  gospel  trumpet  with  great  power 
and  freedom.  Though  we  had  enjoyed  much  of  the  gra- 
cious presence  of  God  in  our  assemblies  before,  yet,  I 
think  I  never  saw  so  much  at  any  time  as  on  that  day; 
especially  when  the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered, 
God  poured  out  his  Spirit  in  a  wonderful  manner. 
Many  old  Christians  told  me  they  had  never  seen  so 
much  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  riches  of  his 
grace,  nor  felt  so  much  of  the  power  of  the  gospel 
before. 

"I  hope  soon  to  open  a  chapel  in  Worcester^  Lin« 
colnshire  and  Kent  promise  great  things.  Mr.  Townsend 
and  Mr.  Spencer  are  supplying  at  Bath,  where  the  Spirit 
is  most  evidently  with  the  word,  and  the  work  of  the 


WORCESTERSHIRE.  861 

Lord,  throngli  infinitely  wonderful  grace,  is  prospering 
in  their  hands.  Lady  Fanny  Shirley  has  freqnent  meet- 
ings at  her  residence,  and  many  of  the  nobility  attend, 
some  of  whom  have  been  led  to  cry,  '  What  must  we  do 
to  be  saved  ? '  Mr.  Shirley  is  labouring  at  Brighton,  and 
his  family  are  now  with  Lady  Fanny  at  Bath.  The  work 
spreads  amazingly  in  Gloucestershire.  Mr.  Milner  is 
labouring  with  great  zeal  and  boldness  in  Hull;  there 
he  meets  with  much  obloquy  and  abuse.  I  have  some 
students  there  supplying  my  chapel,  whose  ministry  has 
been  remarkably  owned.  *  ^  -^  When  you  have  a  little 
leisure,  Mr.  Shirley  will  be  glad  of  jouv  assistance  at 
Brighton.  Mr.  Madan  and  Mr.  Yenu  are  at  Oathall ;  the 
latter  I  expect  here  this  month, — also  Mr.  Toplady  and 
Mr.  Berridge." 

Worcestershire  had  often  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  the 
labours  of  her  Ladyship's  ministers,  and  the  presence  of 
Lady  Huntingdon.  In  the  city  of  Worcester,  the  people 
were  vxry  anxious  to  hear  the  gospel ;  and  by  the 
labours  of  Messrs  Yenn,  Glascott,  and  others,  nearly  two 
hundred  persons  were  impressed  with  the  truth,  and 
united  in  religious  society.  As  the  number  increased 
with  every  fresh  visit  of  her  ministers,  the  people  earn- 
estly requested  her  to  erect  a  chapel  where  they  might 
regularly  hear  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  which  they 
could  not  then  obtain  in  the  established  churches.  She 
readily  yielded  to  the  request  of  the  people ;  and  about 
the  year  1771,  secured  a  spot  of  ground  in  Birdport- 
Street,  a  densely  populated  locality,  where  a  suitable 
place  of  worship  was  erected  by  subscription  and  by 
a  loan,  the  interest  of  which  was  paid  by  the  Countess 
till  the  congregation  could  liquidate  the  whole.  This 
chapel  was  opened  by  Mr.  Shirley,  October  31st,  1773. 
Tlic  place  was  crowded ;  multitudes  went  away,  unable 
to  gain  admittance ;  and  the  services  were  remarkably 
blessed  by  the  Lord. 

31 


862  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

• 

For  several  years  tbe  chapel  was  supplied  by  students 
from  Trevecca;  and  as  the  congregation  steadily  in- 
creased, it  was  determined  to  pull  down  the  original 
chapel,  and  erect  a  more  spacious  edifice,  which  was 
opened  in  180i.  This  new  building  was  still  further 
enlarged  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  E.  Lake  in  1815, 
when  it  was  re-opened  by  the  Rev.  Rowland  Hill,  who 
preached  to  overflowing  congregations.  After  a  remark- 
ably useful  career  of  nearly  thirty  years,  an  unpleasant- 
ness arose  between  Mr.  Lake  and  some  of  his  congrega- 
tion, which  terminated  in  his  leaving  the  chapel.  It  was 
then  supplied  by  ministers  of  the  Connexion  till  1858, 
when  the  Rev.  Thomas  Dodd  removed  from  Swansea  to 
Worcester,  through  whose  exertions  the  heavy  debt, 
which  for  years  had  encumbered  the  place,  has  been 
removed,  and  the  chapel  repaired  and  beautified.  There 
are  several  village  stations  connected  with  this  place  of 
worship,  and  the  Sunday  Schools  are  large  and  flourish- 


CONDITION     OF     IRELAND.  363 


CHAPTER  XXI.    A.D.    1773—1774. 

THE  CONDITION  OF  IRELAND. — DUBLIN. — PLUNKET-STREET 
CHAPEL. — PERSECUTION. — ITINERANCY  IN  IRELAND. — 
LETTER  OF  THE  COUNTESS. — ILLNESS  OF  LADY  FANNY 
SHIRLEY. — LADY  HUNTINGDON'S  CHAPELS  IN  LONDON  ; 
EWER-STREET,  PRINCESS-STREET,  MULBERRY  GARDENS. 
— TREVECCA  COLLEGE. — ORDINATION  OF  MR.  HAWKES- 
WORTH. — HISTORY  OF  BRIGHTON  CHAPEL. — THE  CHAP- 
EL AT  CHICHESTER. — MR.  *  PENTYCROSS. — CHAPEL  AT 
WALLINGFORD. 

The  spiritual  condition  of  Ireland  had  early  attracted 
the  attention  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  She  had  listened 
with  great  satisfaction  to  the  accounts  which  Whiteiield 
and  Wesley  had  given  her  of  their  labours  in  that  be- 
nighted land,  and  had  extended  to  many  ministers  there 
her  protection  and  support.  Messrs.  Shirley  and  Town- 
send  had  preached  the  gospel  in  that  country  with  great 
success,  and  had  represented  to  her  Ladyship  the  neces- 
s.ity  of  diligently  cultivating  that  important  field  of 
Christian  usefulness.  The  city  of  Dublin  was  the  first 
spot  she  selected  as  the  scene  of  her  labours.  It  was  in 
a  most  deplorable  condition ;  Popery  was  openly  vaunt- 
ing itself,  and  oppressing  the  people ;  and  the  sound  of 
the  gospel  was  rarely  heard  in  the  Protestant  churches. 
AVhen  her  ministers,  Shirley  and  Townsend,  presented 
to  her  a  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  city,  she  com- 
missioned them  to  procure  some  commodious  building, 
in  which  divine  service  might  be  conducted  according  to 


36-i  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

the  forms  of  the  Established  Church.  At  the  suggestion 
of  Mrs.  Paul,  the  wife  of  the  Dean  of  Cashel,  and  an  in- 
timate friend  and  correspondent  of  the  Countess,  the  Mer- 
chant Tailors'  Hall  was  obtained,  and  opened  for  the  wor- 
ship of  God.  Several  students,  among  whom  was  Messrs. 
Mead  and  Hawkesworth,  were  sent  over  at  the  sole  ex- 
pense of  her  Ladyship,  and  preached  to  the  people  with 
much  success.  They  were,  however,  recalled  in  1772  to 
attend  the  meeting  convened  at  Trevecca  to  select  mis- 
sionaries for  America ;  after  which  Mr.  Hawkesworth  was 
appointed  to  Dublin.  Several  of  the  members  of  the  con- 
gregation had  intimated  a  desire  to  be  organized  as  an  In- 
dependent Church ;  and  meetings  were  held,  and  resolu- 
tions, expressing  their  desires,  passed,  which  were  forward- 
ed to  Lady  Huntingdon.  She  shortly  after  returned  an 
answer,  which  while  it  disjolays  her  catholicity,  shows 
her  steady  determination  'to  break  the  narrow  bound- 
aries of  sect,  and  her  attachment  to  her  own  liberal  mode 
of  worship.     She  wrote  to  Mr.  Hawkesworth ; — 

''You  know  so  well  my  sentiments  of  Independent 
congregations,  that  I  need  not  enlarge ;  but  I  have  heard 
it  is  determined  by  the  people  that  they  mean  to  collect 
themselves  into  a  body  for  this  purpose,  and  support  a 
minister  by  subscription.  You  know  my  liberal  way  of 
thinking,  by  having  all  follow  the  light  the  Lord  vouch- 
safes them;  and,  therefore,  I  must  leave  it  under  this 
situation.  I  can  be  no  longer  able  to  serve  them,  as 
according  to  what  I  do  know,  or  have  known,  my  call  is 
a  general  and  universal  one;  and  I  believe  this  to  he  that 
of  the  College  ;  and  my  protection,  as  a  Dissenting  Church, 
is  quite  out  of  the  order  of  all  my  work ;  and,  if  this  be- 
come their  settled  choice,  I  think  you  will  like  to  come 
to  England — the  sooner  the  better,  after  you  see  they 
have  made  their  appointment  of  a  minister.  As  I  am 
satisfied  you  will  not  sacrifice  the  whole  of  your  ministry 
to  a  handful  of  people,  while  the  calls  for  you  here  are 


SUCCESS     IN     IRELAND.  365 

SO  many  and  so  great;  and  nothing  could  distress  me 
more  than  for  you  to  sink  into  the  formality  of  a  single 
congregation,  while  your  ministry  is  so  generally  owned 
of  the  Lord ;  therefore,  dear  Hawkesworth,  hasten  to  us 
and  help  us.  Eight  drawn  to  America  makes  us  much 
distressed  for  help.  Be  so  good  as  to  order  the  fur  nit  are, 
which  Mead  brought,  to  be  sold,  and  the  lodging  given 
up,  as  soon  as  possible ;  as,  under  these  circumstances,  I 
consider  myself  wholly  at  liberty  to  withdraw." 

The  plan  of  erecting  a  new  chapel  in  Dublin  was  aban- 
doned, on  account  of  the  exorbitant  price  of  land ;  and, 
by  the  advice  of  Mr.  Shirley,  the  old  Presbyterian  meet- 
ing house  in  Plunket-Street  was  procured  for  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel.  For  many  years  the  congregation  had 
been  dwindling  away  under  a  cold  and  lifeless  ministry, 
and  but  few  cared  to  visit  the  gloomy  and  almost  deserted 
building.  Some  unsuccessful  attempts  had  been  made  to 
revive  the  expiring  interest ;  and  at  length,  the  members 
separated  and  the  chapel  was  rented  by  Lady  Hunting- 
don. After  being  closed,  for  a  short  time,  for  alterations 
and  repairs,  it  was  re-opened  early  in  1773,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Countess,  when  public  worship  was  cele- 
brated on  her  Ladyship's  usual  plan.  Her  ministeffs 
speedily  succeeded  in  gathering  a  large  congregation  to 
hear  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  She  selected  the  most 
popular  preachers  for  the  new  sphere ;  Messrs.  Shirley, 
Eccles,  Dr.  Peckwell,  and  many  other  clergymen  and 
students  from  Trevecca  acquired  much  popularity  in  the 
city,  and,  by  their  zealous  efforts,  raised  a  large  and 
flourishing  interest  in  the  capital  of  Ireland.  The  storm 
of  opposition,  however,  soon  raged  violently  around  them. 
The  cry  of  '^  Methodism  "  was  raised  by  their  enemies ; 
the  clergy  appealed  to  their  dignitaries  to  interpose  their 
authority  ;  and  Mr.  Shirley  was  marked  out  as  the  object 
of  episcopal  vengeance.  The  opposition,  however,  only 
stimulated  their  efforts,  and  increased  their  success ;  and 


366         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

manj  of  tlie  high  and  noble  were  induced  to  attend  the 
chapel. 

The  sharp  controversy  between  the  Calvinists  and  Ar- 
minians  had  produced  disastrous  results  among  Wesley's 
societies  in  Ireland.  The  circuits  became  disorganized  ; 
the  pulpits  were  irregularly  supplied ;  discipline  was 
very  lax  ;  and  the  people  were  dissatisfied  with  the  con- 
troversial preaching  of  the  ministers^  and  with  the  doc- 
trines which  were  prominently  exhibited  in  their  dis- 
courses. Many  applications  were  made  to  Mr.  Shirley  to 
urge  Lady  Huntingdon  to  send  over  some  of  her  min- 
isters to  preach  the  gospel  in  other  parts  of  Ireland,  as 
well  as  in  Dublin.  Her  Ladyship  rejoiced  that  the  peo- 
ple were  willing  to  hear  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  ;  but 
was  sadly  perplexed  to  know  how  to  spare  any  of  her 
labourers.  Her  sphere  had  grown  so  extensive;  and 
applications  for  preachers  so  numerous,  that  every  min- 
ister and  student  was  at  present  engaged  in  the  service 
of  Christ  in  England  and  Wales.  She  wrote  to  Messrs. 
Yenn,  Madan,  and  Talbot,  and  solicited  them  to  supply 
her  chapel  at  Dublio,  while  Ilawkesworth  itinerated  in 
the  country ;  but  various  causes  prevented  them  com- 
plying with  her  request.  She  at  length  prevailed  on  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Jones,  who  had  often  preached  for  her 
Ladyship,  to  undertake  the  work  in  Ireland.  Soon 
after  his  arrival,  Mr.  Ilawkesworth  commenced  his  itin- 
erancy, and  visited,  among  other  places,  Limerick  and 
Waterford.  At  the  latter  place  he  met  with  much  suc- 
cess, and  hired  a  large  room  which  was  regularly  crowded 
with  attentive  hearers.  He  continued  here  for  some  time, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Jones,  and  other  ministers  in 
her  Ladyship's  Connexion.  These  faithful  labourers 
carried  the  gospel  into  many  towns  and  villages,  experi- 
enced the  hostility  of  the  Popish  priests,  and  frequently 
met  with  singular  adventures.  They  were  very  success- 
ful i)i  their  work,  and  were  the  means  of  gathering  con- 


SUCCESS     IN     IRELAND.  367 

gregations  at  Cork  and  SligO;  which  were  for  some  time 
connected  with  Lady  Huntingdon. 

Meanwhile  the  congregation  in  Dublin  steadily  in- 
creased ;  and  the  people  were  anxious  to  enjoy  the  regu- 
lar ordinances  of  religion.  Mr.  Hawkesworth  remained 
in  Ireland  during  the  winter  of  1773,  and  was  assisted 
by  Mr.  Jones,  who,  her  Ladyship  says,  "  begs  much  not 
to  be  confined  to  one  congregation.  AVhile,  therefore,  he 
spreads  the  gospel  elsewhere,  let  the  people  unite  in 
prayer-meeting.  Preaching  they  may  hear  long,  and  yet 
be  miserably  ignorant;  whereas  prayer-meetings  must 
bring  them  on  in  the  examination  of  the  heart." 
Hawkesworth  wrote  to  the  Countess,  and  requested  that 
he  might  be  ordained;  and  she  sent  him  a  long  letter 
dated  October  13th,  1773,  which  presents  some  interest- 
ing details  of  her  efforts  in  the  cause  of  Christ. 

''My  dear  Hawkesworth, — Last  night,  and  not  before, 
I  received  your  letter,  dated  October  2nd,  which  was  ex- 
ceedingly sweet  to  me.  Such  a  spirit  of  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerity  breathed  through  the  whole,  that  revived 
my  heart  abundantly,  and  caused  me  to  bless  our  adora- 
ble Immanuel,  that  he  had  given  me  such  a  companion 
in  tribulation  and  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus, 
to  labour  with  us  in  the  mighty  work  appointed  for  us 
upon  earth  by  him.  0 !  it  is  great  indeed,  and  is  extend- 
ing far  and  wide ;  and  from  the  number  of  young  men 
I  have  received  into  the  College,  devoted  souls !  it  looks 
as  if  the  Lord  seemed  resolved  to  cover  the  earth  with 
the  knowledge  of  his  truth  by  their  means.  I  shall  write 
to-night  to  the  College,  and  lay  before  them  the  call  for 
Ireland,  and  your  removal  from  thence;  and  I  hope  for 
two,  and  also  for  Mr,  Peck  well,  to  be  with  that  work  this 
winter.  This  last  I  am  not  sure  of;  but  two  students 
will  certainly  be  sent  to  change  in  the  country,  and  one 
of  them  to  be  residing  in  Dublin,  that  the  work  there 
may  be  well  carried  on.     Indeed,  dear  Hawkesworth,  my 


368  MEMOIK     OF     LADY     HUNTI^^GDON. 

heart  is  much  with  you,  and  ever  since  I  have  known 
you,  you  have  been  as  a  dearly  beloved  son  to  me  ia  the 
Gospel.  Your  faithfulness,  and  great  disinterestedness 
in  the  Lord's  laboui\s  have  so  much  united  my  heart  to 
you,  that  it  has  been  matter  of  self-denial  I  have  so  long 
parted  from  you.  But  till  I  found  your  heart  first  free 
to  remove,  I  feared  I  might  call  you  before  the  Lord's 
time  from  a  people  you  were  so  owned  of  God  and 
blessed  to.  I  have  often  wanted  you  for  plans  where  the 
greatest  trust  must  be  reposed ;  and,  therefore,  I  am  most 
abundantly  thankful  the  Lord  has  given  you  the  liberty 
I  have  been  waiting  for. 

''As  to  your  ordination,  it  shall  be  just  as  you  find 
your  own  heart  disposed.  '^  *  '^ 

"  The  present  state  of  work  is  as  follows  : — Two  new 
students  are  in  the  west;  Mr.  Glascott  occasionally  there. 
Nuben  and  Aldridge  in  the  Wiltshire  work,  the  latter 
just  removed  to  Dover.  White  is  in  London  serving  a 
very  large  congregation  I  have  been  called  to  supply 
with  the  College  services.  Smith  I  have  taken  into  con- 
nexion, and  who  is  much  alive ;  he  and  another  student 
supply  Woolwich,  Dartford,  and  another  place  we  are 
called  to  serve.  Kent  promises  great  things.  Sussex  is 
supplied  by  Mr.  Peckwell,  and  two  students  you  don't 
know,  with  other  local  helps.  Ellis,  Harris,  and  Crole, 
a  new  student,  are  serving  a  new  work  which  promises 
to  spread  in  the  city  of  Lincoln  and  other  parts  of  Lin- 
colnshire. Poor,  dear,  and  precious  souls  are  walking  miles 
to  London,  hearing  I  am  there,  to  heg  our  help  in  different 
parts  luhere  the  Gospel  has  never  yet  been  preached.  Wales 
is  blossoming,  like  a  rose,  in  all  the  English  parts,  as 
well  as  great  blessings  on  our  Welsh  labours.  The 
chapel  at  Worcester,  which  is  an  exceedingly  handsome 
one,  is  to  be  opened  by  Mr.  Shirley,  the  31st  of  this 
month.  The  long  round  in  the  various  counties  spreads 
in  a  most  amazing  manner.     I  keep  to  my  old  rule  of 


LETTER     TO     U  A  W  K  E  S  W  0  R  T  H  .  869 

going  nowliere   but   from   the   call  of  the   people  first. 
The  Lord  knows  only  well  how  to  employ  ns. 

"  I  have  as  cl-early  and  exactly  informed  you  of  the 
state  of  the  work  as  possible ;  the  College  has  much  of 
the  power  of  God,  and  overflows  at  present  with  numbers. 
Ticmty-four  are  there  at  present,  and  lively  honest  souls, 
with  the  greatest  harmony  and  love  that  ever  subsisted 
in  such  a  place ;  and  this,  I  trust,  owing  to  their  all  hav- 
ing but  one  thing  in  view.  *  *  *  * 

"  I  am  treating  about  ground  to  build  a  very  large 
chapel  at  Wapping,  in  London.  Mr.  Peck  well  was  in 
Sussex  when  the  account  came  of  my  great  temporal  loss 
in  America  ;  and  out  of  great  love,  came  to  speak  a  word 
of  comfort,  but  that  was  not  the  Lord's  meaning,  thouo-h 
it  was  his ;  and  instead  of  three  or  four  days  for  this  pur- 
pose, he  has  been  here  nine  Aveeks ;  and  I  suppose  by 
the  multitudes  he  preached  to  in  the  fields,  Tower  Hill, 
the  churches,  &c.,  that  a  hundred  thousand  people  at  least 
have  heard  the  gospel  that  never  heard  a  tvord  before.  He  is 
amazingly  popular,  and  much  owned  in  the  conversion 
and  comforting  of  the  people.  I  was  rejoiced  that  the 
house  had  been  burnt  down,  as  this  was  the  cause,  the 
sole  cause,  of  bringing  him  or  me  to  London,  where  the 
fields  are  now  every  where  white  to  the  harvest. 

"  Poor  wicked  Ireland,  I  trust,  shall  yet  have  a  Gospel 
day.  I  canH  yet  see  how  or  when,  hut  it  must  he  ;  and  till  I 
find  that  opportunity,  my  eye  is  only  ivaiting  darkly  for  its 
acco  mp  lish  ment. 

''  Could  I  have  thought  my  letters  would  have  been  of 
any  comfort,  I  should  have  written  ;  though,  having  the 
whole  transaction  of  this  work  on  my  oiun  hands,  I  am 
prevented  from  following  my  heart  in  many  things ;  and 
I  think  my  poor  self  such  a  hewer  of  wood  and  drawer 
of  water,  that  I  despair  of  being  the  least  use  or  comfort 
to  any.  But  my  soul  is  in  the  dust,  prostrate  at  the 
cross,  hoping  for  all  there ;  and  after  my  poor  little  vile 


370  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDOX. 

labours  of  the  day,  I  go  to  rest,  having  fioislied  the  day's 
work  as  well  as  I  can,  and  waiting  for  that  voice  each 
night  that  shall  say — 'Come  up  higher! '  Thus  I  feel  as 
void  of  care  as  a  little  child,  knowing  my  dear  Master 
cannot  want  me,  and  that  his  eye  will  be  for  a  better,  a 
more  faithful  and  living  servant  in  my  place,  when  my 
work  is  done." 

Towards  the  close  of  1773,  Lady  Huntingdon  was 
called  to  Bath  by  the  serious  illness  of  Lady  Fanny  Shir- 
ley, who  was  suffering  the  most  excruciating  pain  through 
the  ravages  of  disease.  Mr.  Shirley  was  then  at  Bath ; 
and  though  severely  tried  by  the  loss  of  one  of  his  chil- 
dren, he  preached  at  the  chapel,  and  consoled  his  relative. 
Early  in  the  next  year  he  was  assisted  in  his  labours  by 
Mr.  Yenn.  Lady  Fanny  enjoyed  the  visits  of  these 
excellent  clergymen,  and  was  enabled  to  bear  her  suffer- 
ings with  patience  and  resignation.  She  felt  that  Christ 
was  present  with  her,  to  sustain  her  faith,  and  cheer  her 
heart.  On  one  occasion,  the  physician  who  attended  her 
observed  to  Mr.  Yenn,  that  he  was  quite  at  a  loss  to 
explain  how  she  could  bear  her  severe  sufferings  with  so 
much  tranquility.  ''Sir,"  he  replied,  "that  lady  possesses 
what  you  and  I  ought  daily  to  pray  for, — the  grace  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  love  of  God,  and  the  fellowship 
of  the  Holy  Ghost."  The  Countess  was  usefully  and 
actively  engaged  at  Bath  till  March,  1774,  Avhen  she  re- 
paired to  London  to  be  present  at  the  opening  of  a  large 
chapel,  which  she  had  taken  under  her  patronage. 

The  metropolis  had  early  witnessed  the  zeal  and  devo- 
tedness  of  Lady  Huntingdon.  Her  residence  in  Park 
Street,  and  at  Chelsea,  had  been  thronged  with  the  no- 
bility in  her  drawing-rooms,  and  the  poor  in  her  kitchens ; 
and  she  had  persuaded  Lady  G.  Gotham,  Lady  Fanny 
Shirley,  and  others  to  throw  open  their  spacious  man- 
sions for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  In  the  beginning 
of   1770,  her  Ladyship  took  the  lease  of  a  chapel  in 


CHAPEL     AT     WAPPING.  371 

Ewart-Street,  whicli  had  for  many  years  belonged  to  the 
Society  of  Friends ;  and  supplied  it  for  some  time  with 
students  from  Trevecca.  In  a  few  years^  however,  the 
Eev.  William  Crawford  was  invited  to  the  pastorage ;  the 
congregation  professed  Baptist  sentiments;  and  Lady 
Huntingdon,  acting  on  her  plan  of  unsectarian  usefulness, 
relinquished  the  chapel,  and  directed  her  labours  else- 
where. 

In  the  year  1773,  the  large  and  commodious  chapel  in 
Princess-Street,  Westminster,  became  vacant  by  the  re. 
moval  of  the  congregation  under  Dr.  Kippis  to  a  smaller 
building.  It  was  rented,  repaired,  and  beautified  by  the 
munificence  of  Lady  Huntingdon  and  a  few  friends,  who 
were  anxious  for  the  extension  of  the  Eedeemer's  king- 
dom in  the  neighbourhood.  In  a  letter  written  to  Mr. 
Hawkesworth,  replying  to  his  urgent  request  for  help, 
and  to  be  ordained  the  resident  minister  of  the  church  in 
Dublin,  dated  April  2nd,  1774,  her  Ladyship  says  : — 

"  Nothing  can  express  the  difficulty  I  feel  for  helpers, 
from  the  amazing  increase  of  the  work  everywhere. 
Ireland  must  feel  this  with  me,  as  well  as  England, 
Wales,  and  America.  I  am  going  to  the  College,  with 
the  Lord's  leave,  and  from  thence  shall  send  you  the  best 
help  I  can.  Dear  Mr.  Peck  well  is  ready  in  heart,  but  a 
large  chapel  of  mine,  holding  more  than  three  thousand, 
is  to  be  opened  this  next  week ;  and  this  being  in  the 
heart  of  Westminster,  requires  our  most  eminent  minis- 
ters to  follow  up  that  preparation  of  heart  the  Lord  has 
wrought ; — and  another  I  am  going  to  erect  at  Wapping. 
The  Lord  has  sent  us  Mr.  Haweis  to  join  our  Connexion  ; 
and  indeed  he  is  a  most  blessed,  and  extraordinary 
minister." 

This  chapel  was  opened  by  Dr.  Peckwell  in  April 
1774,  and  was  for  several  years  supplied  by  ministers  of 
the  Established  Church;  among  whom  were  Toplady, 
Shirley,   Glascott,    Pentycross,  Jesse,    and   Dr.   Haweis. 


872       mp:moir    of    lady    Huntingdon. 

At  length  Dr.  Peck^Yell  became  the  stated  miniritor,  aucl 
changed  the  name  of  the  building  to  that  of  ''Westmin- 
ster chapel." 

The  Countess  was  at  this  time  treating  for  ground 
upon  which  to  build  a  very  large  chapel  at  Wapping, 
whither  her  attention  had  been  directed  by  the  Eev.  L. 
Coughlan,  a  clergyman  who  had  lately  returned  from 
Kewfoundland,  and  was  then  labouring  in  her  Connexion. 
She  could  obtain  the  lease  only  for  twenty-one  years; 
and  during  the  erection  of  the  building,  Dr.  Peck  well, 
the  Kev.  C.  S.  Eccles,  an  Irish  clergyman  from  Georgia, 
Mr.  Coughlan,  John  Clayton,  and  several  of  her  students, 
preached  with  great  success  under  the  Mulberry  Trees, 
in  the  immediate  neighbourhood.  The  chapel,  however, 
was  not  opened  till  the  close  of  the  year  17/6,  in  conse- 
quence of  some  unpleasant  differences  which  arose 
respecting  the  choice  of  a  minister.  Mr.  Toplady  was 
consulted  by  her  Ladyship  as  to  the  best  mode  of  termi- 
nating the  unpleasant  affair ;  and  several  letters  passed 
between  him,  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  the  managers,  rela- 
tive to  the  chapel.  At  length  the  affairs  were  amicably 
arranged ;  and  the  building  rapidly  progressed.  The 
chapel  was  fitted  up  in  an  elegant  manner,  and  was 
opened  with  every  prospect  of  success.  The  order  of 
service  was  according  to  the  forms  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  a  periodical 
change  of  ministers.  When,  however,  the  lease  expired 
in  1798,  the  building  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Inde- 
pendents belonging  to  Nightingale-Lane  chapel.  The 
freeehold  of  that  chapel,  as  well  as  the  freehold  of  Mul- 
berry Garden,  belonged  to  Messrs.  Allen,  the  extensive 
brewers ;  and  as  they  required  the  ground  on  which  the 
Independent  chapel  stood,  to  enlarge  their  brewery,  they 
proposed  to  the  congregation  an  exchange  of  buildings, 
and  offered  to  fit  up,  at  their  own  expense,  the  Mulberry 
Garden  chapel  for  their  accommodation.     The  proposal 


THE     COUNTESS     AT     TREVECCA.  373 

was  accepted  ;  the  renewal  of  the  lease  of  her  Ladyship's 
chapel  was  refused ;  and  the  congregation  was,  therefore, 
scattered.  Part  united  with  her  Ladyship's  connexion  at 
Spafields  and  Sion  chapels  ;  and  the  remaining  portion 
removed  to  Charlotte-Street,  until  it  was  taken  down  for 
the  erection  of  the  Docks ;  when  they  erected  a  place  of 
worship  in  Pell-Street,  Wellclose  Square,  which  was 
called  the  New  Mulberry  Garden  Chapel.  It  was  opened 
September  29th,  1802,  on  the  plan  of  the  Connexion, 
with  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England ;  and  for 
two  years  was  supplied  by  a  rotation  of  ministers  ;  after 
which  the  Eev.  Isaac  Nicholson,  President  of  her  Lady- 
ship's College,  was  chosen  the  pastor,  and  preached  there 
with  much  success  till  his  death. 

After  staying  a  short  time  in  London,  Lady  Hunting- 
don journeyed  to  Trevecca,  and  regulated  the  preaching 
plans  of  the  students.  She  sent  two  over  to  Ireland  to 
relieve  Mr.  Hawkesworth,  who  returned  to  England  to 
be  ordained.  He  remained  a  little  time  at  Plymouth  to 
aid  those  students  who  were  supplying  the  Tabernacles 
of  Plymouth  and  Dock ;  and,  while  here,  received  a  let- 
ter from  the  Countess  informing  him  that  she  was  fully 
satisfied  that  it  was  right  for  him  to  be  ordained,  and  re- 
questing him  to  be  present  at  the  anniversary  of  the  Col- 
lege. The  services  this  year  were  rendered  very  inter- 
esting by  the  number  of  the  ministers  present,  and  the 
great  interest  which  was  excited  among  the  people.  As 
usual,  for  some  days  previous  to  the  anniversary  there 
was  preaching  in  the  chapel ;  and  on  the  24:th  of  August, 
the  crowd  of  persons  in  the  grounds  of  the  College  was 
very  great.  There  was  preaching  early  in  the  morning ; 
after  which  three  hundred  breakfasted  together ;  then 
Welsh  addresses  were  given  to  the  people,  who  heartily 
responded  to  the  fervid  eloquence  of  Messrs,  Williams 
and  Kolands.      Dr.  Peckwell  preached  a  powerful  dis- 

32 


374  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

course  from  Eev.  v.  9 ;  tlie  people  publicly  dined  at  her 
Ladyship's  expense ;  and,  after  a  short  respite,  Mr.  Cope- 
land  and  Mr.  Williams  preached.  The  evening  was  spent 
by  the  ministers  and  leading  friends  with  her  Ladyship, 
in  solemn  prayer  and  praise ;  and  on  the  next  day,  the 
sacrament  was  administered,  first  to  Lady  Huntingdon 
and  her  ministers,  and  then  to  thirty  of  her  students.  A 
charge  was  given  to  the  collegians  by  Dr.  Peckwell ;  and 
to  the  end  of  the  week,  some  of  the  ministers  or  students 
preached  twice  daily.  The  greatest  joy  pervaded  all 
parties ;  the  ministers  and  students  were  led  to  conse- 
crate themselves  more  unreservedly  to  the  service  of  their 
Saviour ;  and  the  people  departed  with  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation,  and  with  the  grace  of  God  in  their 
hearts. 

Lady  Huntingdon  left  Trevecca  for  Bath,  and  was 
busily  engaged  in  making  arrangements  for  the  ordina- 
tion of  Mr.  Hawkesworth,  which  she  wished  to  take 
place  at  Plymouth,  and  to  be  performed  by  Mr.  Kins- 
man. From  the  accounts  she  had  received  from  Mrs. 
Paul,  she  was  gratified  to  learn  that  her  work  in  Ireland 
was  progressing  very  favourably ;  she,  therefore,  wrote 
to  Mr.  Kinsman,  and  requested  his  assistance  to  set  apart 
her  student  to  the  work  of  the  Lord  in  Dublin.  He  re- 
turned a  favourable  answer ;  and  towards  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember 1774,  Mr.  Hawkesworth  was  ordained  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  Independent  ministers  usually  are,  at  the 
Tabsrnacle  in  Plymouth,  as  the  officiating  minister  of 
Lady  Huntingdon's  chapel  in  Dublin.  His  call  from  the 
people  and  his  credentials  were  examined  ;  and  his  state- 
ment of  doctrine  being  deemed  satisfactory,  he  was 
solemnly  set  apart  to  the  pastoral  office  by  prayer,  and 
the  laying  on  of  hands.  The  Countess  was  not  able  to 
be  present,  owing  to  the  great  amount  of  business  that 
was  pressing  upon  her.  Her  congregations,  generally, 
were  in  a  flourishing  state ;  and  the  calls  from  various 


BRIGHTON     CHAPEL.  375 

localities  for  tlie  preaching  of  the  gospel,  were  far  more 
numerous  than  she  could  atteacl  to. 

Her  chapel  at  Brighton  had  this  year  been  taken  down 
and  rebuilt;  chiefly  at  the  expense  of  Miss  Orton ;  and  to 
expedite  the  erection,  many  pious  mechanics  connected 
with  the  congregation  gratuitously  gave  their  services  at 
overtime.  It  was  re-opened  on  the  24th  of  July  by  the 
veteran  preacher,  Mr.  Eomaine,  who  was  now  her  Lady- 
ship's oldest  chaplain,  and  her  most  confidential  adviser. 
She  continued  to  visit  this  rising  fashionable  town  till 
her  death ;  and  beheld  with  much  satisfaction  the  results 
of  her  efforts.  The  congregation  greatly  increased  under 
the  ministry  of  such  men  as  Toplady,  Bliss,  Dr.  Haweis, 
Glascott,  and  Taylor ;  and  the  chapel  was  several  times 
enlarged.  In  1788  a  front  gallery  was  erected  by  the 
voluntary  subscriptions  of  the  friends ;  and  in  the  year 
1810,  a  further  alteration  was  effected  by  opening  into 
the  chapel  a  large  parlour  for  the  accommodation  of 
visitors,  by  building  a  fourth  gallery  for  the  poor,  and 
school  children,  and  by  erecting  a  minister's  vestry  be- 
hind the  pulpit.  In  1822,  the  chapel  was  again  enlarged 
by  inclosing  a  piece  of  ground  at  the  south  end ;  and, 
was  re-opened  by  Eoland  Hill,  April  19th,  1822.  The 
chapel  now  will  contain  about  fifteen  hundred  persons, 
is  exceedingly  neat  and  elegant,  and  is  crowded  with  at- 
tentive congregations  to  hear  the  Eev.  J.  Sortain,  who 
for  many  years  has  maintained  his  great  popularity  in 
Brighton. 

The  attention  of  the  Countess  had  been  drawn  to  the 
spiritual  destitution  of  Chichester  in  Sussex.  A  pious 
individual,  hearing  of  the  zeal,  and  successful  efforts  of 
her  Ladyship,  had  written  to  her,  and  offered  the  use  of 
his  house  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  that  she  might 
be  instrumental  in  dispersing  the  spiritual  darkness 
which  hung  over  the  city  and  the  neighbourhood.  Lady 
Huntingdon  never  turned  a  deaf   ear  to  any  call,  when 


876  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     11  U  X  T I  N  G  D  O  N  . 

she  could  assist;  she  accordingly  repaired  thitlier,  accom 
panied  by  some  of  her  devoted  ministers ;  and  meetin;^ 
with  much  encouragement,  she  sent  her  students  regu- 
larly to  labour  in  this  place.  It  was  deemed  desirable 
to  possess  a  chapel  in  the  city;  and  after  a  short  time,  a 
neat  and  comfortable  building  was  erected.  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon was  now  accompanied  by  the  Eev.  T.  Pentycross, 
who  opened  this  chapel  October  22nd,  1774.  The  services 
were  well  attended  ;  and  the  preaching  of  Mr.  English, 
who  had  been  removed  from  Worcester  to  Chichester 
attracted  many  to  the  chapel,  and  was  made  useful  in 
the  conversion  of  sinners.  He  afterwards  left  to  take 
charge  of  a  congregation  at  Gosport ;  and  Chichester  was 
supplied  by  a  rotation  of  students  from  Trevecca.  The 
influence  of  the  Countess  was  not  confined  to  the  city, 
but  was  widely  felt  in  the  surrounding  districts ;  and 
shortly  after,  chapels  were  erected  at  Emsworth,  Pet- 
worth,  Guildford,  and  Basingstoke  in  Hants. 

Mr.  Pentycross  had  been  noticed  by  the  Countess  from 
the  commencement  of  his  career.  Throuo-h  the  interest 
of  Eomaine,  for  whom  he  occasionally  officiated,  he  was 
presented  to  the  living  of  St.  Mary,  Wallingford.  Its 
value  was  exceedingly  small,  not  much  more  than  twelve 
pounds  per  annum ;  yet  her  Lad^^ship  urged  him  to  ac- 
cept it,  and  generously  sent  him  twenty -five  pounds  to 
commence  a  subscription  to  increase  his  remuneration, 
and  promised  her  confinued  support,  and  prayers  for  the 
success  of  his  ministry.  His  fame  as  a  preacher  speedily 
filled  his  church  with  attentive  hearers;  numbers  came  a 
considerable  distance  from  the  surrounding  villages ;  and 
the  word  of  truth  entered  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and 
brought  many  to  Jesus  Christ.  He  officiated  at  her 
Ladyship's  chapels,  whenever  she  requested  his  services  • 
at  Bath  lie  was  very  popular  and  successful;  and  at  other 
places  his  appearance  in  tlie  pu][)it  was  always  welcomed 
by  the  congregation.     At  a  later  period  of  his  ministry 


MR.     P  E  N  T  Y  C  R  O  S  S  .  377 

in  Wallingford,  lie  becamed  embroiled  in  doctrinal  dis- 
putes with  his  parishioners,  by  his  frequent  speculations, 
which  led  to  a  separation  from  his  church.  Her  Lady- 
ship became  greatly  interested  in  the  affair  ;  and  perceiv- 
ing that  additional  accommodation  for  public  worship 
was  needed,  she  encouraged  the  separatists,  and  supplied 
them  with  preachers  from  College.  During  the  first 
twelve  months  they  assembled  at  a  private  house ;  after 
which  they  purchased  another  private  house,  and  con- 
verted it  into  a  chapel,  which  was  opened  for  public 
worship  by  her  Ladyship's  chaplain,  the  Eev.  Thomas 
"Wills.  This  chapel,  with  the  freehold  estate  on  which 
it  stood,  was  purchased  by  the  society,  and  vested  in 
nine  trustees,  and  was  for  some  time  supplied  by  her 
Ladyship's  ministers.  Mr  Pentycross  gradually  became 
reconciled  to  the  separation ;  he  considered  it  a  wise  pro- 
vision in  case  the  light  of  the  gospel  should  be  extin- 
guished in  the  church,  preached  the  truth  with  more 
earnestness  and  simplicity,  and  continued  to  enjoy  the 
friendship  and  support  of  Lady  Huntingdon. 

32* 


878  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 


CHAPTEE  XXII.    A.D.    1774—1776. 

INCREASE  OF  THE  COUNTESS'  LABOURS. — HER  CHAPEL 
AT  KIDDERMINSTER. — STATE  OF  RELIGION  AT  READ- 
ING.— DR.  TALBOT. — PERSECUTION. — HER  CHAPELS  AT 
READING  AND  BRISTOL. — LADY  HUNTINGDON  VISITS 
CORNWALL. — ST.  IVES. — MEVAGISSEY. — ST.  COLUMB. — 
WEST  LOOE. — TRURO. —  LADY  HUNTINGDON  AT  NOR- 
WICH.— PURCHASES  THE  TABERNACLE. —  HER  GREAT 
SUCCESS  THERE. — ANNIVERSARY  OF  HER  COLLEGE. — 
REMARKABLE   SCENES. 

Shortly  after  the  opening  of  the  chapel  at  Chichester, 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  called  to  London  on  important 
business  connected  with  the  chapels,  especially  the  Mul- 
berry Garden.  She  wrote  to  Mr.  Hawkesworth,  "  The 
hurry  I  have  been  in  since  I  came  from  Sussex  must  ex- 
cuse me  to  you.  Opening  a  chapel  at  Chichester  for  the 
Lord,  with  the  business  that  arises  from  the  amazing 
increase  of  our  work,  allows  little  time  to  indulge  myself, 
even  in  that  of  the  more  constant  intercourse  with  my 
friends."  Her  Ladyship  congratulated  him  on  his  ordi- 
nation, urged  him  to  pray  for  her  in  the  midst  of  many 
difficulties,  and  requested  him  to  make  his  first  journey 
to  London,  ''as  business  must  protract  my  stay,  and 
much  must  be  settled  for  Ireland."  Mr.  Ilawkesworth 
shortly  came  to  the  metropolis :  preached  at  Mr.  Piercy's 
chapel  at  Woolwich,  which  was  under  her  Ladyship's 
patronage  while  he  was  in  America ;  arranged  his  plans 
with  the  Countess  for  Ireland  ;  and  departed  to  Dublin  to 


CHAPEL     AT     KIDDEK  MINSTER.  879 

take  the  sole  cliarge  of  tlie  work  in  that  country.  This 
was  the  busiest  period  of  her  Ladyship's  life.  The  entire 
machinery  of  her  efforts  was  under  her  sole  superinten- 
dence ;  the  voluminous  correspondence  passed  through 
her  own  hands,  and  was  answered  by  herself;  and  the  calls 
from  dark  localities  were  investigated  by  her,  sometimes 
even  by  a  personal  inspection  of  the  place.  Every  year 
her  chajDels  were  becoming  more  numerous,  and  her 
exertions  more  extended ;  and  though  she  was  often  per- 
plexed by  the  smallness  of  her  income,  her  faith  carried 
her  triumphantly  through  her  difficulties. 

Towards  the  end  of  1774:,  the  Rev.  B.  Fawcett,  and 
other  pious  persons  invited  Lady  Huntingdon  to  send 
some  of  her  students  to  Kidderminster,  a  town  which 
was  honoured  with  the  residence  and  ministry  of  the 
celebrated  Richard  Baxter.  Their  ministry  was  attended 
with  considerable  success ;  the  town  was  once  or  twice 
visited  by  the  Countess,  and  her  most  popular  ministers ; 
and  many  years  after,  a  chapel  was  erected  here,  which 
still  continues  in  her  Ladyship's  Connexion.  Worcester- 
shire enjoyed  much  of  the  services  of  her  ministers; 
many  dark  places  were  enlightened  by  their  labours; 
little  chapels  and  preaching  stations  were  erected  in  those 
parts  where  the  people  were  impressed  with  the  truth ; 
and  many  large  and  flourishing  congregations  owe  their 
origin  to  the  zeal  and  piety  of  the  students. 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  the  early  part  of  1775  at  Bath, 
where  she  appears  to  have  been  greatly  afflicted  with 
sickness,  which  prevented  her  doing  as  much  in  the  ser- 
vice of  her  Master  as  she  desired.  She  was  at  this  time 
deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  people  at  Reading. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Talbot,  vicar  of  St..  Giles,  had  been  for  many 
years  her  intimate  friend  and  coadjutor.  When  vicar 
of  Kineton,  Warwickshire,  he  had  frequently  itinerated 
for  her  Ladyship,  in  company  with  Mr.  Madan,  and 
preached  the  gospel  in   her  chapels  at  Bath,  Brighton, 


880         MEMOIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

and  other  places.  On  liis  removal  to  Eeading,  his  evan- 
gelical doctrines  and  amiable  character  secured  him  the 
respect  and  love  of  his  parishioners ;  and  his  labours, 
together  with  those  of  his  excellent  curate,  Mr.  Hallward, 
a  man  possessing  similar  spirit  and  views  to  his  own, 
were  very  beneficial  to  his  hearers.  When,  however,  he 
was  on  a  visit  to  his  intimate  friend,  Lord  Dartmouth,  he 
was  seized  with  a  fever,  which  he  had  contracted  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duties.  His  congregation  was  about  to 
assemble  on  a  certain  day  to  implore  the  divine  blessing 
to  rest  upon  him,  when  the  news  reached  his  sorrowing 
wife  that  he  had  departed  this  world,  March  2nd,  1774. 
The  intelligence  threw  his  congregation  into  the  greatest 
consternation.  They  were  deeply  attached  to  him,  but 
more  so  to  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel ;  and  they  feared 
that  his  successor  would  be  a  man  of  very  different  sen- 
timents. The  living  was  unexpectedly  conferred  on  the 
Rev.  William  B.  Cadogan,  a  young  gentleman  of  noble 
family,  who  was  not  yet  ordained,  and  who  was  incapable 
of  officiating  for  nearly  twelve  months.  The  church- 
wardens, therefore,  retained  Mr.  Hallward  till  the  vicar 
arrived ;  and  as  that  time  approached,  the  congregation 
drew  up  a  petition,  and  presented  it  to  the  new  vicar, 
praying  that  Mr.  Hallward  might  be  retained  in  his 
curacy.  They  expected  that  Mr.  Cadogan,  succeeding 
such  a  man  as  Dr.  Talbot,  would  be  only  too  glad  to 
secure  the  services  of  a  respected  and  useful  curate ;  but 
he  threw  the  petition  into  the  fire,  and  imperatively  de- 
clared that  Mr.  Hallward  should  never  again  preach  in 
his  pulpit. 

During  the  interval  between  the  death  of  Dr.  Talbot 
and  the  induction  of  Mr.  Cadogan,  Lady  Huntingdon 
paid  Reading  a  visit  to  console  her  afilicted  friend,  Mrs. 
Talbot.  The  greatest  concern  was  manifested  for  the 
interests  of  evangelical  religion  in  the  town ;  and  much 
conversation  ensued  between  the  two  excellent  ladies  and 


LETTER     TO     MR.    TTALLWARD.  381 

Mr.  Hallward;  as  to  tlie  best  means  of  providing  for  tlie 
spiritual  wants  of  the  congregation,  should  he  be  dismiss- 
ed from  the  curacy.  When  the  petition  was  rejected,  Mr. 
Hallward  immediately  applied  to  her  Ladyship  for  assist- 
ance ;  and  the  venerable  Countess  wrote  to  him  a  long 
letter,  dated  Bath,  April  27th,  1775,  in  which  she  says : — 
"I  was  much,  obliged  by  your  kind  letter,  and  you  may 
depend  on  my  yielding  every  service  in  my  power  to  the 
Lord's  people  at  Beading,  who  are  so  near  your  heart. 
Our  conversation,  you  may  remember,  led,  without 
design,  to  those  means  that  did  appear  immediately  cal- 
culated for  the  most  extensive  usefulness  in  the  various 
services  of  tbe  gospel ;  and,  in  consequence,  brought  out 
verhally  what  my  practice  for  so  many  years  had  proved 
so  positively.  I  am  persuaded  that  the  wisdom  from 
above  is  as  free  from  partiality  as  it  is  from  hypocrisy ; 
and  for  this  reason,  our  fears  relative  to  either  ought  to 
be  as  such  indulged  as  in  any  other  apparent  contradiction 
to  the  word  of  God,  in  the  most  solid  experiences  of  an 
humble  mind.  The  present  Eeformation  has  been  owned 
by  the  Lord  under  the  general  idea  of  irregularity ;  but 
1  humbly  think  his  orders  are  more  regularly  observed 
by  this  conduct  than  by  any  other  means.  You  must 
allow  me,  dear  Sir,  the  freedom  this  great  subject  obliges 
me  to.  The  express  word  of  God  orders  and  directs  his 
servants,  as  messengers  of  peace  to  the  whole  world  ;  and 
they  are  either  under  the  necessity  of  obeying,  or  they 
are  not.  If  he  has  not  the  authority  of  even  an  earthly 
master  to  engage  the  obedience,  place,  and  time  of  his 
servants,  his  precepts  must  be  vain,  and,  of  course,  every 
degree  of  their  obedience  vain  also ;  but  we,  as  wretched 
bond-slaves,  redeemed  by  a  love  stronger  than  death  to 
liberty  and  life,  seem  to  have  no  conditions  to  make  in 
the  ser\'ice  of  such  a  friend ;  and  any  composition  for 
body,  soul,  or  spirit,  must  imply  an  insensibility  of  the 
purchased  blessing,  or  the  debt  from  us  ever  due  to  such 


882  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

a  heaveoly  purcliaser.  This^  to  each  individual^  seems 
the  state  of  our  case.  What  shall  we  say,  then,  when 
still  further  favoured;  as  ministers,  not  only  to  know  this 
for  their  own  everlasting  comfort,  but  are  also  honoured 
by  a  commission  to  declare  such  glad  tidings  of  rich,  free, 
covenanted  mercy  to  every  creature  ?  Should  thousands 
attempt  to  restrain  such,  by  any  supposed  power  found 
inferior  to  that  which  they  have  received,  in  order  to 
make  them  hold  their  peace,  we  venture  to  circumscribe 
their  commission." 

As  soon  as  Mr.  Cadogan  began  to  preach,  the  people 
naturally  were  very  curious  to  hear  what  doctrines  he 
intended  to  promulgate  to  the  congregation.  They 
patiently  heard  him  a  few  times,  and  became  fully  assured 
of  the  character  of  his  views.  It  was  impossible  for 
them,  accustomed  as  they  had  been  to  the  simple  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel,  to  be  satisfied  with  the  moral  essays 
and  pharisaic  sentiments  which  now  were  delivered  from 
the  pulpit.  The  congregation,  therefore,  left  and  became 
scattered.  Some  flocked  to  the  dissenting  chapel,  where 
they  could  hear  evangelical  preaching ;  but  others,  not 
satisfied  with  their  mode  of  worship,  a|)plied  to  the 
Countess  of  Huntingdon  for  her  assistance,  and  took  a 
large  place,  capable  of  containing  several  hundred  per- 
sons, which  was  fitted  up  as  a  place  of  worship,  and 
opened  on  the  plan  of  her  Ladyship's  chapels,  with  the 
Liturgical  service. 

Mr.  Cadogan  was  indignant  at  the  course  adopted  by 
his  congregation,  and  openly  manifested  his  great  dis- 
pleasure at  their  proceedings.  His  bitterest  feelings 
were  directed  to  Mrs.  Talbot ;  who  remained  in  the  tow^n, 
and  by  her  counsel  and  aid,  greatly  promoted  the  inter- 
ests of  true  religion.  Her  house  was  the  resort  of  all 
who  were  impressed  with  the  truth ;  her  rooms  were 
thrown  open  for  religious  services,  where  her  Ladyship's 
chaplains,  and  other  ministers  expounded  the  scriptures, 


BRISTOL     CHAPEL.  383 

and  prayed ;  and  lier  time  was  daily  occupied  in  instruct- 
ing and  encouraging  young  converts  to  Christ.  The 
vicar  remonstrated  with  her  in  several  letters;  but  her 
answers  were  so  full  of  the  meekness  and  sweetness  of 
religion,  that,  at  length,  the  persecuting  spirit  of  the 
clergyman  retired  and  his  heart  yielded  to  the  general 
influence  of  real  Christian  character.  The  chapel  was 
supplied  by  some  of  the  most  popular  ministers  in  her 
Ladyship's  Connexion;  Dr.  Peckwell,  Dr.  Haweis, 
Messrs.  Wills,  Taylor,  Glascott,  and  other  clergymen 
preached  there  with  much  success ;  and  several  of  the 
students  were  made  exceedingly  useful  in  the  conversion 
of  sinners. 

While  these  affairs  were  transpiring  at  Heading,  Lady 
Huntingdon  was  actively  engaged  in  establishing  a  chapel 
at  Bristol.  The  success  which  had  attended  the  erection 
of  the  Tabernacle  in  this  large  and  populous  city,  in- 
duced her  Ladyship  to  consider  the  propriety  of  procu- 
ring a  place  of  worship  at  the  other  end  of  the  city. 
After  carefully  considering  the  matter,  her  attention  was 
directed  to  a  large  building  which  had  been  used  as  an 
assembly  room,  and  occasionally  as  a  theatre.  The  pro- 
prietor agreed  to  let  it  on  a  lease,  for  £40  per  annum ; 
and  she  immediately  signed  the  agreement,  and  expended 
nearly  £800  in  rendering  it  suitable  for  divine  worship. 
It  was  opened  in  the  month  of  August  1775,  by  Dr. 
Peckwell  and  Mr.  Glascott,  and  was  well  attended  by 
ministers  and  people.  The  Countess  had  been  for  some 
time  in  a  precarious  state  of  health ;  and  though  she  an- 
ticipated with  pleasure  her  departure  for  the  better  land, 
her  ministers  and  congregations  looked  with  great  alarm 
at  the  probability  of  such  an  event  at  present.  Her 
mind,  however,  was  active  and  enterprising ;  her  soul 
was  burning  with  love ;  and  her  entire  energy  was  con- 
centrated on  the  accomplishment  of  her  great  designs, 
while  her  life  was  still  spared.     Her  chapel  in  Bristol 


384  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

proved  a  great  blessing  to  the  city  ;  for  ten  years  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  by  clergymen  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land ;  it  became  the  resort  of  the  fashionable  circles,  visit- 
ing Clifton  and  the  neighbourhood  ;  and  its  large  prayer- 
meetings  were  attended  by  pious  persons  from  all  parts 
of  the  city. 

Several  attempts  were   made,  during  the  life  of  the 
Countess,  to  obtain  a  new  chapel ;  but  they  were  frus- 
trated by  unforeseen  circumstances.     In  one  instance,  a 
large  sum  of  money  was  contributed ;  but  it  was  either 
returned  to  the  subscribers,  or  applied  to  some  other 
purpose  with  their  consent.  The  congregation  very  much 
declined,  after  her  Ladyship's  death ;  but  the  visits  of  the 
Eev.  William  Cooper,  from  Dublin,  revived  the  drooping 
cause,  imparted  fresh  vigour  to  the  people,  and  filled  the 
chapel  with  awakened  hearers.      The  place  became  far 
too   small   to   accommodate  the  applicants;  and  he  fre- 
quently preached  from  a  window  to  a  much  larger  crowd 
outside,  than  that  within  the  building.     In  1820  a  fresh 
attempt  was  made  to  erect  a  chapel,  and  about  £800  was 
expended   on   a   site ;  which,  being   afterwards   deemed 
ineligible,  was  sold,  and  the  money  invested  in  the  hands 
of  the  trustees  of  the  Connexion.     The  Eev.  W.  Lucy 
became  the  resident  minister  in  1823,  and  commenced  an 
effort  to  procure  a  new  building.     The  present  site  in 
Lodge-Street  was  purchased ;  a  fine  gothic  stone  edifice 
was  erected,  with  a  handsome  recess  for  the  pulpit  and 
reading  desks,  and  with  capacious  galleries  around  three 
sides  of  the  chapel.     The  school-rooms  occupy  one  half 
of  the  other  space  under  the  chapel ;  and  the  entire  cost 
of  erection  was  upwards  of  £4,500,  towards  which  the 
Connexion  Trustees  gave  a  considerable  sum,  on  condition 
of  the  whole  building  being  vested  in  their  trust.     The 
chapel  will  accommodate  about  twelve  hundred  persons, 
and   was   opened   in   August,   1831,  by  the   Eev.  John 
Brown,    and   the   Eev.  James   Sherman.      The   Eev.   J. 


ST.     IVES     AND     MEVAGISSEY.  385 

Eastmead  has  lately  been  appointed  to  this  important 
sphere. 

A  few  weeks  after  the  opening  of  the  chapel  at  Bristol, 
Lady  Huntingdon  accepted  the  invitation  of  her  niece, 
Mrs.  Wills,  to  visit  Cornwall.  Mr.  Wills  still  held  his 
curacy  of  St.  Agnes,  near  Truro,  and  had  greatly  inter- 
ested her  Ladyship  by  his  accounts  of  the  poor  miners. 
Cornwall  was  almost  a  barbarous  land;  the  light  of 
divine  truth  was  confined  to  a  few  spots,  where  the  cele- 
brated Samuel  Walker  had  laboured;  and  the  miners 
lived  in  a  state  of  the  deepest  ignorance  and  vice.  Soon 
after  her  arrival,  she  wrote  to  Mr.  Ha wkes worth,  at 
Dublin,  and  invited  him  to  join  her  in  her  efforts ;  and 
says,  "  My  call  here  is  to  the  tinners,  and  thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands  of  poor  perishing  creatures,  whom  all 
seem  to  neglect ;  their  souls  are  the  objects  of  my  loving- 
care  ;  and  if  the  Lord  permit,  I  wish  to  make  three  or 
four  establishments  in  the  heart  of  the  tin  mines,  for  their 
instruction  and  salvation."  During  her  stay  in  Cornwall, 
Lady  Huntingdon  visited  several  places  in  the  county 
with  Mr.  Wills,  and  other  ministers ;  and  was  so  delighted 
with  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel,  that  she  directed  several  of  her  ministers  and 
students  to  cultivate  this  portion  of  England.  Her  efforts 
were  successful ;  and  in  a  few  years  there  were  no  less 
than  twenty  congregations  in  her  Connexion,  which  had 
their  origin  in  the  labours  of  her  students,  and  were 
regularly  supplied  from  Trevecca. 

The  Countess  paid  a  visit  to  St.  Ives ;  and  deeming  it 
a  proper  sphere  of  usefulness,  requested  some  of  her 
students  to  preach  in  the  town.  A  large  room  was  pro- 
cured, but  the  people  were  not  much  disposed  to  enter 
it ;  and  for  some  years,  little  good  was  effected.  At 
length  one  of  the  students,  Eobert  M'All,  was  induced  to 
settle  in  the  town,  and  in  180-1  opened  the  present  neat 
and  commodious  chapel.      He  laboured  here  till  1813, 

33 


386         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

when  he  removed  to  London ;  and  the  congregation  da- 
ciined.  The  trustees  of  the  Connexion  came  to  their 
help,  discharged  their  debt,  and  appointed  a  fresh  min- 
ister. The  chapel  will  seat  about  five  hundred  persons, 
and  is  now  ably  supplied  by  the  respected  minister,  the 
Eev.  E.  S.  Hart. 

The  chapel  at  Mevagissey  owes  its  origin  to  this  visit 
of  her  Ladyship  to  Cornwall.  Her  ministers  preached 
here  several  times,  and  in  1777,  a  neat  chapel  was  erected, 
towards  which  the  Countess  gave  one  hundred  pounds. 
The  people  were  desirous  of  placing  it  entirely  under  her 
control ;  but  she  requested  them  to  appoint  trustees,  that 
her  ministers  might  labour  there  whenever  they  had  an 
opportunity.  At  St.  Columb,  a  chapel  was  erected,  and 
supplied  by  her  Ladyship's  students,  'whose  preaching 
proved  beneficial  to  many.  When  Mr.  Wills  resigned 
his  curacy  at  St.  Agnes,  and  was  appointed  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon's chaplain,  in  1779,  he  sold  part  of  his  plate,  and 
built  a  small  chapel  in  the  village,  which  was  also  sup- 
plied by  the  students.  They  preached  also  at  West  Looe, 
where  Sir  Harry  Trelawney  had  strangely  acted  as  a 
preacher ;  and  by  their  zeal  raised  a  small  place  of  wor- 
ship, and  gathered  an  attentive  congregation. 

Truro  had  long  been  highly  favoured  with  the  ministry 
of  the  renowned  Samuel  Walker,  a  man  who  was  exceed- 
ingly useful  in  his  county,  and  was  the  means  of  bring- 
ing out  several  devoted  ministers.  He  had  formed  the 
serious  portion  of  his  congregation  into  two  classes; 
which  met  once  a  week  alternately  for  reading  a  sermon 
and  prayer,  and  for  religious  conversation  and  prayer. 
After  his  death,  the  people  kept  up  the  practice:  and 
thus  supplied,  in  some  measure,  what  was  wanting  in 
the  ministrations  of  his  successor.  Some  of  them,  how- 
ever, erected  a  place  of  worship,  and  enrolled  themselves 
as  protestant  dissenters ;  but  the  others,  though  unable 
to  obtain  spiritual  instruction  in  the  church,  could  not  be 


LADY    HUNTINGDON    AT     NORWICH.     387 

prevailed  upon  to  join  them.  They  held  their  meetings 
in  their  room  on  the  Lord's  day,  as  well  as  on  the  week- 
day, when  their  dissenting  brethren  met  with  them  ;  and 
obtained  the  occasional  services  of  Dr.  Haweis  and  Mr. 
Wills,  who  were  well  known  in  Truro.  Soon  after  his 
ordination,  Mr.  Wills  preached  in  the  market-place  of 
Truro.  It  happened  on  that  day,  that  a  play  was  to  be 
performed  at  the  theatre,  for  the  benefit  of  one  of  the 
actors.  Curiosity  led  many  persons  to  hear  their  towns- 
man, Mr.  Wills;  the  theatre  was  nearly  deserted;  and 
many  among  the  crowd  were  savingly  impressed  with 
the  truth.  Some  years  after,  this  theatre  was  shut  up; 
and  Mr.  Wills  went  to  examine  its  eligibility  as  a  chapel 
for  Lady  Huntingdon.  On  entering,  he  passed  two  per- 
sons, one  of  whom  paid  his  respects  to  him  in  a  very 
marked  manner,  which  Mr.  Wills  returned.  After  the 
clergyman  had  passed,  the  companion  of  this  person  said 
to  him,  "  Pray,  do  you  know  that  gentleman  ?  "  He  re- 
plied, ''Know  him  !  yes,  I  have  reason  to  know  him,  he 
preached  a  sermon  in  the  market-place,  some  time  back, 
on  my  benefit  night ;  the  house  was  nearly  empty,  and 
the  people  flocked  to  him  ! "  This  theatre  was  eventually 
purchased  by  the  Countess,  and  fitted  up  as  a  chapel, 
whither  the  remains  of  Walker's  congregation  removed. 
It  was  for  many  years  supplied  by  the  students,  like  the 
other  chapels  in  the  Connexion. 

In  the  spring  of  1776,  Lady  Huntingdon  visited  Nor- 
wich, in  company  with  Lady  Anne  Erskine,  and  Mr. 
Toplady.  The  congregation  of  the  Tabernacle  in  this 
city  had  been  gradually  dwindling  away,  during  the 
time  John  Wesley  held  possession  of  the  place.  At  the 
expiration  of  his  lease,  Mr.  Wheatley  let  it  to  the  Eev* 
John  Hook,  who  held  it  till  February  1775,  when  the 
Countess  agreed  to  take  it  on  a  lease  at  £4:0  per  annum. 
She  immediately  sent  down  her  most  popular  clergymen  • 
among  whom   were  Messrs.  Shirley,  Glascott,  and  Bow- 


388  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

man,  whose  preaching  was  attractive,  and  revived  the 
congregation.  Her  stay  now  was  not  of  long  duration ; 
but  the  results  of  her  visit  were  very  satisfactory.  Mr. 
Toplady,  who  had  officiated  at  her  chapels  in  Bath  and 
Brighton,  produced  a  deep  impression  upon  the  people  at 
Korwich.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  talents  and 
attainments ;  though  his  frame  was  slender  and  delicate, 
his  mind  was  clear  and  powerful,  and  his  voice  melodious 
and  distinct ;  and  his  extemporaneous  discourses  were 
full  of  lively  sentiments  and  pathos,  and  rendered  pecu- 
liarly impressive  by  his  action  and  appeals.  His  health 
obliged  him  to  give  up  his  residence  in  Devon ;  he,  there- 
fore, preached  at  most  of  her  Ladyship's  chapels,  and  to 
a  stated  congregation  in  Orange-Street,  London.  During 
his  visit  to  Norwich,  the  congregation  was  regularly 
organized  and  the  affairs  of  the  society  arranged.  In  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Hawkesworth,  Lady  Huntingdon  says : — ''I 
have  one  congregation  at  Norwich,  four  thousand  hearers, 
six  limidred  communicants ;  and  this  under  two  students^ 
who  write  me  word  that  about  thirty  were  added  to  that 
society  in  three  weeks." 

In  the  following  August,  the  Countess  purchased  Mr. 
Wheatley's  share  in  the  Tabernacle  for  £900,  and  vested 
the  chapel  in  seven  trustees,  four  clerical  and  three  lay ; 
who  were  empowered  to  fill  up  any  vacancy  in  the  trust, 
to  form  a  committee  for  the  management  of  the  secular 
affairs  of  the  chapel,  and  to  regulate  the  appointment  of 
a  minister.  Her  Ladyship  first  appointed  the  Eev.  Mark 
Wilks,  who  had  been  educated  at  her  College,  and  had 
iH Derated  chiefly  in  Wales  and  Warwickshire.  He  was 
an  eccentric  man,  and  when  he  made  his  appearance  in 
Norwich,  he  attracted  considerable  attention.  He  was 
slender  and  ruddy,  with  long  hair  flowing  over  his 
shoulders;  and  took,  for  his  first  text,  the  striking  pas- 
sage, ''  There  is  a  lad  here  which  hath  five  barley  loaves 
and  two  small  fishes."     His  forcible  and  quaint  expres- 


REMARKABLE     SCENES.  389 

sions  riveted  Lis  audience;  tlie  congregation  rapidly- 
increased  ;  the  truth  impressed  many  hearts  ;  and  peace 
and  prosperity  reigned.  In  the  course  of  a  few  years, 
Mr.  Wilks  left,  and,  to  the  deep  regret  of  her  Ladyship, 
withdrew  from  her  Connexion ;  which  caused  several  to 
leave  the  Tabernacle,  and  purchase  a  chapel  which  Mr. 
Bowman,  who  had  been  requested  to  withdraw,  had 
built.  They  invited  Mr.  Wilks  to  settle  among  them ; 
and  he  accepted  the  invitation,  and  shortly  after  formed 
the  society  into  a  Baptist  church,  which  occasioned  many 
of  his  warmest  admirers  to  forsake  him.  A  few  years 
before  his  death,  there  was  a  second  separation  from  the 
Tabernacle,  when  a  new  place  of  worship  was  erected  in 
a  different  part  of  the  city.  The  Tabernacle  was  sup- 
plied by  a  succession  of  clergymen  and  ministers,  till 
the  death  of  the  Countess,  when  Mr.  Philips,  in  1792 
was  appointed  the  resident  minister.  He  continued 
there  till  1816,  when  a  third  separation  took  place,  in 
consequence  of  the  renewal  of  his  appointment.  The 
seceders  erected  a  large  chapel  in  Princess- Street,  in 
March  1819,  and  chose  the  Eev.  J.  Alexander  as  their 
pastor.  The  Eev.  John  Owen  was  for  some  years  the 
pastor  of  the  Tabernacle,  and  on  his  removal  to  Bath 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  J.  Dryden,  during  whose 
ministry  there  arose  a  very  unpleasant  struggle  between 
the  trustees,  committee,  and  minister.  For  two  years, 
the  disputes  ran  high  and  vehement ;  and  on  May  8th, 
1836,  the  fourth  separation  took  place  by  the  minister, 
and  a  large  body  of  the  congregation  removing  to  the 
New  Tabernacle.  The  orignal  Tabernacle  has,  however, 
revived  under  the  able  ministry  of  the  present  pastor, 
the  Rev.  J.  Kempster. 

Lady  Huntingdon  spent  a  considerable  portion  of  1776 
in  AVales.  Her  College  was  essential  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  her  plans  ;  and  she  breathed  into  her  students 
the  zealous  spirit  which  glowed  within  her.     She  treated 

33* 


390  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

them  with  maternal  kindness ;  and  so  tliorougLlj  won 
their  gratitude,  that  they  were  ready  to  do  anything  to 
please  their  noble  patroness,  and  to  promote  her  great 
designs.  The  anniversary  of  the  College  this  year  was 
attended  by  a  larger  number  of  ministers  and  people 
than  on  any  former  occasion ;  a  convincing  proof  how 
highly  the  Institution  was  valued.  Mr.  Toplady  was  one 
of  the  preachers  on  the  occasion  ;  and  in  a  letter  to  his 
friend;  Mr.  Hussey,  he  gives  an  account  of  a  singular 
incident  that  occurred. 

'*  The  night  I  left  town,  the  Worcester  coach,  in  which 
I  went,  broke  down ;  but  not  one  of  us  received  the 
least  injury.  I  have  a  still  greater  deliverance  to  ac- 
quaint you  with ;  even  such  as,  I  trust,  will  never  be 
blotted  from  my  thankful  remembrance.  On  the  anni- 
versary day  in  Wales,  the  congregation  was  so  large, 
that  the  chapel  would  not  have  contained  a  fourth  part 
of  the  people,  who  were  supposed  to  amount  to  three  thou- 
sand. No  fewer  than  one  thousand  three  hundred  horses 
were  turned  into  one  large  field  adjoining  the  College, 
besides  what  were  stationed  in  the  neighbouring  villages. 
The  carriages  also  were  unusually  numerous.  A  scafibld 
was  erected  at  one  end  of  the  College-Court,  on  which  a 
book-stand  was  placed,  by  way  of  pulpit,  and  thence  six 
or  seven  of  us  preached,  successively,  to  one  of  the  most 
attentive  and  lively  congregations  I  ever  beheld.  When 
it  came  to  my  turn  to  preach,  I  advanced  to  the  front, 
and  had  not  gone  more  than  half  way  through  my 
prayer  before  sermon,  when  the  scaffold  suddenly  fell  in. 
As  I  stood  very  near  the  higher-most  step,  and  the  steps 
did  not  fall  with  the  rest.  Providence  enabled  me  to  keep 
on  my  feet,  through  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Winkworth, 
who  laid  fast  hold  of  my  arm.  About  forty  ministers 
were  on  the  scaffold  and  steps  when  the  former  broke 
down.  Dear  Mr.  Shirley  fell  undermost  of  all,  but  re- 
ceived no  other  hurt  than  a  very  slight  bruise  on  one  of 


ANNIVERSARY     DAY     IN     WALES.  891 

his  Ibiglis.  A  good  woman,  who,  for  tlie  conveniency 
of  hearing,  had  placed  herself  under  the  scaffold,  received 
a  trifling  contusion  on  her  face.  N"©  other  mischief  was 
done.  The  congregation,  though  greatly  alarmed,  had 
the  prudence  not  to  throw  themselves  into  outward  disor- 
der ;  which,  I  believe,  was  chiefly  owing  to  the  powerful 
sense  of  God's  presence,  which  was  eminently  felt  by 
most  of  the  assembly. 

''Such  was  the  wonderful  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  me, 
that  I  was  not  in  the  least  disconcerted  on  this  dangerous 
occasion;  which  T  meotion  to  the  praise  of  that  grace 
and  providence ;  without  which,  a  much  smaller  incident 
would  inevitably  have  shocked  every  nerve  I  have. 
About  half  a  minute  after  the  interruption  had  com- 
menced, I  had  the  satisfaction  to  inform  the  people  that 
no  damage  had  ensued ;  and  removing  for  security  to  a 
lower  step,  I  thanked  the  Lord,  with  the  rejoicing  multi- 
tude, for  having  so  undeniably  given  his  angels  charge 
concerning  us.  Prayer  ended,  I  was  enabled  to  preach, 
and  great  grace  seemed  to  be  upon  us  all." 


892  MEMOIR     OP     LADY     HUXTINGDON. 


CHAPTER  XXIII.    A.D.    1776—1781. 

THE  POWER  OF  EXAMPLE. — CONDITION  OF  SPAFIELDS, 
— THE  PANTHEON. — NORTHAMPTON  CHAPEL. — RICH- 
MOND.— OPENING  OF  SPAFIELDS  CHAPEL. — PERSECU- 
TION.— ECCLESIASTICAL  COURTS. — RELIGIOUS  POSITION 
OF  LADY  HUNTINGDON  IN  ENGLAND. — HER  CHAPEL  AT 
BATH.  —  DISPUTES  WITH  WHITEFIELD'S  TRUSTEES. — 
CHELTENHAM. — HER  CHAPEL  THERE. — WELSH  CONGRE- 
GATIONS.— ROWLAND  HILL. 

The  example  of  a  godly  life  exerts  a  powerful  influ- 
ence, and  secures  the  happiest  results.  The  virtues  which 
shine  brightly  amid  the  circumstances  of  life,  encourage 
many  to  strive  after  what  has  been  already  attained ;  and 
the  longer  the  life  is  protracted,  the  more  powerful  does 
the  example  become.  The  age  of  the  venerable  Coun- 
tess did  not  retard  her  efforts  to  spread  abroad  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ.  The  conviction  that  she  could  not 
spend  many  more  years  upon  earth,  stimulated  her  zeal ; 
the  thought  of  that  eternity  into  which  she  must  ere  long 
enter,  awakened  in  her  susceptible  heart  a  compassionate 
yearning  for  the  salvation  of  souls;  and  the  success 
which  God  had  been  pleased  to  grant  to  her  past  efforts, 
convinced  her  that,  though  her  labours  had  been  con- 
demned by  man,  they  had  received  the  sanction  of  the 
Lord,  and  had  been  crowned  with  his  blessing.  She, 
therefore,  was  prepared  to  go  forward  in  her  illustrious 
career,  to  add  to  the  arduous  duties  which  already 
pressed  heavily  upon  her,  to  listen  to  the  appeals  which 


THE     PANTHEON.  893 

were  made  for  her  assistance,  and  to  open  fresh  places  of 
worship  in  destitute  places.  Her  means  were  so  limited, 
that  most  persons  would  have  trembled  at  the  designs 
she  contemplated ;  but  her  faith  was  so  simple  and 
strong,  that,  whenever  she  was  convinced  it  was  her  duty 
to  act,  she  boldly  accomplished  the  deed,  and  left  the 
results  with  God. 

Towards  the  close  of  1776,  the  attention  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  was  directed  to  the  spiritual  destitution  of 
Clerkenwell.  The  present  crowded  neighbourhood  of 
Spafields  was  at  this  period  quite  rural,  and  formed  a 
dangerous  locality  for  travellers  to  pass  through  after 
dark.  The  paths  were  very  bad,  especially  in  winter^ 
and  were  infested  with  thieves  ;  the  haunts  of  vice,  and 
the  abodes  of  robbers  were  close  by ;  and  many  a  dark 
and  deadly  deed  was  perpetrated  in  the  silence  of  night. 
Those  who  walked  in  the  evening,  from  the  city  to  the 
hamlet  of  Islins^ton,  were  accustomed  to  wait  at  the  end 
of  Percival- Street,  until  a  considerable  party  had  collec- 
ted, when  they  were  escorted  through  Spafields  by  an 
armed  patrole,  appointed  for  the  purpose ;  and  it  was 
customary  for  travellers  approaching  London,  to  remain 
all  night  at  the  Angel  Inn,  near  Islington,  rather  than 
ventuie  across  this  dangerous  spot  after  dark.  This  lo- 
cality was  noted  for  the  fashionable  sport  of  duck-hunt- 
ing, and  contained  a  solitary  tavern,  called  the  Dog  and 
Duck,  which  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Eosomond, 
who  converted  the  grounds  into  extensive  pleasure  gar- 
dens. The  whole  of  the  property  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Marquis  of  Northampton,  who  let  a  portion 
of  these  gardens  to  Mr.  Craven,  for  the  purpose  of  erect- 
ing a  large  circular  building,  in  imitation  of  the  celebra- 
ted Pantheon  at  Eome.  This  spacious  edifice  was  opened 
in  May,  1770,  as  a  place  of  amusement,  and  speedily  ac- 
quired notoriety  as  a  public  resort  for  all  ranks  and  both 
sexes  on  the  Lord's  day.     Though  patronized  by  the 


394  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

Prince  of  AYales,  and  many  of  the  nobility,  after  the 
first  year  it  was  unsuccessful  as  a  place  of  amusement ; 
and,  in  three  years,  Mr.  Craven  became  a  bankrupt. 
The  lease  was  then  disposed  of  to  the  proprietor  of 
Sadlers- Wells'  Theatre,  who  dreaded  a  rival  establish- 
ment ;  and  after  being  used  for  a  short  time  as  a  mart  for 
the  sale  of  carriages,  the  building  became  vacant.  A 
curious  incident  connected  with  its  erection  deserves 
notice.  Mrs.  Craven  coulcT  not  be  induced  to  visit  the 
building  until  near  its  completion.  She  then  inspected 
it  with  a  friend,  who  asked  her  what  she  thought  of  it ; 
when,  full  of  apprehension  for  her  husband  and  her 
family,  she  burst  into  tears,  and  exclaimed,  ''It  is  very 
pretty ;  but  I  forsee  it  will  be  the  ruin  of  us,  and,  one 
day  or  other,  will  be  turned  into  a  Methodist  meeting- 
house." 

Lady  Huntingdon  greatly  desired  to  obtain  possession 
of  this  noble  edifice,  which  had  two  tiers  of  galleries  sur- 
rounding it,  supported  by  numerous  elegant  columns, 
that  she  might  convert  it  into  a  chapel,  and  bring  the 
gospel  into  the  benighted  neighbourhood.  She  instructed 
Messrs.  Shirley,  Parker,  and  Crole  to  consult  each  other 
on  the  project,  and  to  ascertain  the  terms  on  which  the 
proprietor  would  be  willing  to  dispose  of  the  building. 
It  appears  that  there  were  two  parties  already  treating 
for  it ;  and  her  friends  so  discouraged  her  by  their  advice, 
that  she  reluctantly  declined  to  purchase  the  Pantheon. 
She  says: — 

''My  heart  seems  strongly  set  upon  having  this  temple 
of  folly  'dedicated  to  Jehovah  Jesus,  the  great  head  of  his 
church  and  people.  Dear  Mr.  Berridge  does  not  dis- 
courage the  undertaking,  but  says  I  may  count  upon  a 
fit  of  sickness,  if  I  engage  in  this  afilxir.  I  feel  so  deeply 
for  the  perishing  thousands  in  tl^at  part  of  London,  that 
I  am  almost  tempted  to  run  every  risk ;  and  though,  at 
this  moment,  I  have  not  a  peony  to  command,  yet  I  am 


THE     PANTHEON.  895 

SO  firmly  persuaded  of  the  goodness  of  the  Master,  whose 
I  am,  and  whom  I  desire  to  serve,  that  I  shall  not  want 
gold  or  silver  for  the  work.  It  is  his  cause ;  he  has  the 
hearts  of  all  at  his  disposal ;  and  I  shall  have  help,  when 
he  sees  fit  to  employ  me  in  his  service.  Nevertheless, 
with  some  regret,  I  give  up  the  matter  at  this  time.  You 
are  on  the  spot,  and  your  opinion,  in  circumstances  of 
this  nature,  may  be  better  than  mine ;  but  faith  tells  me 
to  go  forward,  nothing  fearing,  nothing  doubting T 

As  soon  as  the  determination  of  Lady  Huntingdon  was 
made  known  to  the  proprietors,  the  Pantheon  was  let  to 
a  committee  of  gentlemen,  who  converted  it  into  a  place 
of  worship.  A  considerable  expense  was  incurred  in 
fitting  it  up ;  the  figure  of  Fame,  which  surmounted  the 
dome,  was  exchanged  for  a  lantern  cupola ;  and  a  pulpit 
and  reading  desks  were  erected.  It  was  opened  on  Sat- 
urday, July  5th,  1777,  by  the  Eev.  John  Eyland,  and  was 
called  Northampton  chapel,  in  honour  of  the  nobleman 
on  whose  ground  it  stands.  The  Eevs.  Hubert  Jones, 
and  William  Taylor,  two  episcopal  clergymen,  were  en- 
gaged as  preachers,  whose  ministrations  speedily  attracted 
a  large  congregation.  They  stood  alone  in  the  church, 
in  this  part  of  London,  for  proclaiming  the  evangelical 
doctrines  of  religion.  Their  preaching  gave  great  offence 
to  the  Rev.  W.  Sellon,  Incumbent  of  Clerkenwell,  who 
was  annoyed  and  jealous  at  their  success,  and  resolved  to 
remove  them  from  their  sphere  of  usefulness.  He  claimed 
the  right  of  preaching  in  the  chapel  whenever  he  pleased, 
and  of  nominating  the  ministers  who  should  ofl&ciate  ; 
and  made  other  demands,  which  the  ministers  and  com- 
mittee resisted.  An  ecclesiastical  law-suit  was  instituted ; 
the  Incumbent  triumphed ;  the  two  clergymen  were  for- 
bidden to  preach  there  ;  the  chapel  was  closed,  and  the 
large  congregation  scattered. 

While   these   events  were   transpiring,  Mr.    Toplady 
drew  the  attention  of  the  Countess  to  Richmond,  then  a 


896  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

place  of  fashionable  resort,  and  of  great  gaiety.  The 
theatre  had  been  hired  by  Eowland  Hill,  Mr.  Joss,  and 
Mr.  West,  a  popular  clergyman,  who  frequently  made 
excursions  to  Eichmond,  and  preached  there  amid  much 
opposition.  The  proprietor  was  anxious  to  dispose  of  the 
theatre  to  her  Ladyship,  and  commissioned  Mr.  Hough 
to  wait  on  Mr.  Toplady  with  a  view  of  negotiating  the 
matter.  The  Countess,  however,  did  not  approve  of  the 
step ;  for,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Shirley,  she  says,  "  I  have 
prayed  for  light,  but  the  cloud  does  not  move  towards 
Eichmond.  The  opposition  which  Mr.  Hill  and  others 
have  experienced,  is  very  discouraging.  Consult  with 
dear  Mr.  Toplady,  and  look  earnestly  for  directions  from 
above.  May  your  great  Master  guide  you  in  this  matter! 
My  mind  is  against  it,  but  I  am  content  to  submit  to 
your  better  judgment ;  persuaded  that,  if  it  is  his  will 
who  governs  all  things,  we  shall  be  sent  to  Eichmond, 
with  full  authority  to  proclaim  his  grace,  and  make  his 
name  more  known  amongst  that  people. 

When  Lady  Huntingdon  heard  of  the  result  of  the 
ecclesiastical  proceedings  instituted  by  Mr.  Sellon,  she 
immediatel}^  repaired  to  London,  to  obtain  possession  of 
the  chapel,  if  possible.  Mr.  Toplady  had  finished  his 
career  on  earth ;  she,  therefore,  consulted  with  Lord 
Dartmouth,  Mr.  Thornton,  and  others ;  concluded  an 
agreement  with  the  proprietors ;  and  took  the  spacious 
chapel  under  her  patronage.  A  few  alterations  and 
improvements  were  effected ;  the  name  of  it  was  changed 
to  Spafields  chapel ;  and  it  was  re-opened  March  28th, 
1779,  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Haweis,  who  preached  a  powerful 
and  impressive  sermon  on  that  occasion.  The  Countess 
then  supposed  she  had  a  right,  as  a  peeress  of  the  realm, 
to  employ  her  own  chaplains  any  time  and  place  in  the 
most  public  manner,  without  being  exposed  to  the  ter- 
rors of  the  ecclesiastical  courts.  She  was,  however,  soon 
undeceived;   for  Mr.  Sellon  attacked  every  clergyman 


OPENING    OF    SPAFIELDS    CHAPEL.         897 

wlio  preached  in  tlie  place.  The  question  of  her  right 
was  mooted  in  the  ecclesiastical  court;  where  it  was 
decided  against  her ;  and  Dr.  Haweis  and  Mr.  Glascott, 
as  ministers  of  the  Establishment,  were  obliged  to  dis- 
continue their  services  at  Spafields.  Lady  Huntingdon 
was  greatly  harassed  by  the  opposition  she  experienced, 
and  sought  the  highest  legal  advice  on  the  matter.  She 
forwarded  to  Sergeant  Glynn  a  list  of  queries  as  to  what 
constitutes  a  peer's  domestic  chapel — whether  it  is  ex- 
empt from  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction — whether  a  peer 
could  admit  whom  he  pleased  to  it — and  whether  he  could 
shield  his  chaplains  from  the  citations  of  courts.  He 
returned  answers  to  these  queries  ;  and,  in  his  letter  to  her 
Ladyship,  says: — 

'^  Ecclesiastical  law,  such  as  it  now  stands,  is  against 
you  in  some  points,  which  would  not  be  insurmountable 
were  our  Bishops  differently  minded.  *  ^  *  I  anxiously 
look  for  reformation  in  some  matters  connected  with 
the  Established  Church,  to  which  I  am  conscientiously 
attached;  and  though  I  may  not  live  to  see  any  great 
change,  yet,  I  am  pursuaded,  the  time  is  not  far  distant, 
when  Bishojys  luill  deeply  lament  the  obstinate,  headstrong 
tyranny  which  has  driven  so  many  from  the  church,  and 
that  persecuting  spirit,  so  prominent  in  their  character ; 
in  too  many  instances,  more  in  accordance  with  the  dark, 
intolerant  spirit  of  the  Romish  church,  than  with  the 
enlightened  principles  of  the  Protestant  faith. 

"  Your  Ladyship's  benevolent  conduct  must  command 
the  respect  and  veneration  of  every  liberal-minded  man. 
I  shall  be  most  happy  at  all  times  in  giving  my  humble 
aid  to  the  furtherance  of  your  most  excellent  designs  for 
the  good  of  mankind,  and  the  improvement  of  the  igno- 
rant multitude.  My  professional  services  are  ever  at 
your  Ladyship's  command." 

After  Dr.  Haweis  and  Mr.  Glascott  had  been  silenced, 
Mr.  Wills  supplied  the  pulpit  for  some  time,  when  he 

34 


598  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

suddenly  left  London,  to  avoid  a  citation  before  the 
court.  The  Rev.  W.  Taylor  again  came  forward  to  ofiSci- 
ate  in  Spafields,  and  was  speedily  put  down  by  the  intol- 
erance of  Mr,  Sellon.  These  repeated  persecutions  in- 
daced  Lady  Huntingdon  to  devise  a  plan  by  which  she 
might  baffle  her  cruel  and  bitter  enemy.  She  could  not 
dispute  the  decisions  of  the  court,  and,  while  might  con- 
quers right,  she  says,  "I  am  reduced  to  turn  the  finest 
congregation,  not  only  in  England,  hit  in  any  jpart  of  the 
world,  into  a  dissenting  meeting,  unless  hy  the  medium  of 
secession.  This  is  a  subject,  in  consideriDg  which,  nothing 
but  the  very  clearest  convictions  of  conscience,  impressed 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  for  the  continued  protection  of  the 
truth,  and  faithfulness  to  God's  people,  ought  to  make  it 
a  point  worth  any  minister's  attending  to." 

At  length,  to  avoid  further  molestation,  it  became  ne- 
cessary to  take  shelter  under  the  Toleration  Act,  and  for 
the  clergymen,  who  wished  to  officiate  in  her  chapels,  to 
take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  as  Dissenters.  Mr.  Wills 
and  Mr.  Taylor  publicly  seceded  from  the  Church ;  and 
the  former  was  appointed  the  resident  minister  of  the 
chapel.  Their  secession  from  the  Establishment  occa- 
sioned a  great  stir  among  the  religious  community ; 
many  unjust  reflections  were  cast  upon  her  Ladyship 
and  her  ministers ;  and  her  efforts  were  stigmatised  as 
introducing  a  new  schism  in  the  Church  of  Christ.  This 
step,  however,  was  forced  upon  her,  by  the  tyranny  of 
ecclesiastical  rule ;  and  was  the  only  course  open  to  her, 
unless  she  would  abandon  her  work.  The  decision  of 
the  courts  placed  her  in  a  different  position  from  what 
she  had  hitherto  occupied.  She  had,  up  to  this  time,  ob- 
tained the  services  of  clergymen  of  the  Church  of 
England  for  her  chapels ;  but  now  they  were  placed  in  a 
most  painful  situation.  As  they  could  not  legally  preach 
beyond  the  boundaries  of  their  parish,  they  must  with- 
draw their  services  from  the  congregations,  where  they 


SPAFIELDS     CHAPEL.  399 

had  often  and  successfully  laboured,  and  be  content  to  see 
the  people  perishing  in  dark  localities,  without  attempt- 
ing to  save  them  ;  or,  they  must  expose  themselves  to 
the  penalties  of  the  ecclesiastical  courts.  Lady  Hunting- 
don was  warmly  attached  to  the  Church  of  England,  and 
loved  its  doctrines  and  admirable  liturgy ;  but  she  could 
not  relinquish  her  important  labours,  nor  quench  her 
love  for  perishing  souls,  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  a 
certain  ecclesiastical  status.  She  accomplished  a  mighty 
work ;  she  fostered  religion  in  the  Establishment,  and 
gave  an  impetus  to  Christian  activity  and  zeal ;  and  the 
impartial  historian  will  own  the  value  of  her  efforts,  and 
pronounce  her  a  great,  if  not  the  greatest,  character  in 
the  religious  history  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Several 
of  the  clergymen  associated  with  her  were  induced,  by 
the  terrors  of  the  courts,  to  relinquish  preaching  in  her 
chapels ;  among  whom  were  Romaine,  Venn,  Townsend, 
and  Jesse,  though  they  continued  to  be  her  friends,  and 
those  of  her  coadjutors.  Other  clergymen,  such  as  Dr. 
Haweis,  Wills,  Taylor,  Glascott,  Bradford,  Jones,  Piercy, 
Penty cross,  and  Charles,  continued  their  services ;  and 
were  greatly  blessed  in  saving  souls.  The  Countess  was 
thankful  that,  though  man  frowned  upon  her,  the  Lord 
still  blessed  her  labours ;  and  in  one  of  her  letters,  she 
says : — 

"I  am  to  be  cast  out  of  the  Church  now  only  for  what 
T  have  been  doing  these  forty  jeavs — s2-)eahing  and  living 
for  Jesus  Christ !  and  if  the  days  of  my  captivity  are 
now  to  be  accomplished,  those  that  turn  me  out  and  so 
set  me  at  liberty,  may  soon  feel  what  it  is,  by  sore  dis- 
tress themselves,  for  those  hard  services  they  have  caused 
me.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  I  have  not  one  care  relative  to 
this  event,  but  to  be  found  exactly  faithful  to  God  and 
man  through  all.  You  will  smile  and  rejoice  with  me  in 
all  I  may  suffer  for  our  dear  Immanuel's  sake.  I  have 
asked  none  to  go  with  me ;  and  none,  that  do  not  come 


400  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

willinglj  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  and  by  faith,  in  the 
Son  of  God,  lay  all  at  his  feet,  would  do  me  any  good; 
and  He  only  knows  these.  -^  '^  * 

"  Dear  Mr.  Haweis,  Wills,  &c.,  are  mightily  owned  and 
blessed  of  God  in  the  conversion  of  sinners.  The  chapel 
is  crowded  from  door  to  door,  and  multitudes  go  away 
disappointed  at  not  being  able  to  get  in.  Mr.  Sellon  is 
in  a  mighty  rage  with  Mr.  Sergeant  Glynn  for  what  he 
terras  '  his  vile  abuse  of  him.'  I  am  greatly  indebted  to 
him,  and  other  law  officers  of  the  Crown,  for  their  able 
advice  and  assistance  in  this  afiair.  I  have  been  severely 
handled  and  vilified ;  but  none  of  these  things  move  me, 
determined  the  short  remnant  of  my  declining  age  shall 
be  employed  in  setting  up  the  standard,  and  enlarging 
the  circle  of  evangelical  light  and  truth.  With  the 
Lord's  help,  I  shall  go  on  in  devotedness  to  his  work, 
and  wait  contentedly  for  his  approbation  when  called 
to  give  up  my  accounts." 

Success  crowned  her  efforts  at  Spafields;  the  place 
was  thronged ;  and  many  were  converted  under  the  pow- 
erful preaching  of  Mr.  Wills.  He  once  took  for  his  text, 
''  The  trumpet  shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall  be  raised ;" 
and  while  he  was  depicting  the  solemnities  of  the  last 
judgment,  the  heavens  suddenly  grew  black,  and  a  terri- 
ble storm  arose.  The  successive  flashes  of  lightening 
darted  upon  the  congregation  through  the  cupola ;  the 
heavy  bursts  of  thunder  rolled  around  the  chapel;  the 
rain  dashed  in  torrents  against  the  windows;  and  the 
whole  fearfully  illustrated  and  impressed  the  discourse 
upon  the  audience.  In  1780,  the  chapel  narrowly 
escaped  being  pulled  down  by  the  rioters,  who  had 
escaped  from  Clerkenwell  prison,  as  the  former  proprie- 
tor had  incurred  their  displeasure ;  but  it  was  saved  from 
destruction  by  one  of  the  mob,  who  informed  the  rest 
that  it  now  belonged  to  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon,  and 
that  his  mother  went  there.     The  liturgical  form  of  ser- 


TRIALS     OF     THE     COUNTESS.  401 

vice  was  regularly  used ;  and  much  attention  was 
paid  to  tlie  "  psalmody  of  the  Lord's  house."  Immedi- 
ately after  the  opening  of  the  chapel,  the  Countess 
established  a  choir,  and  requested  her  talented  organist 
at  Bath,  to  assist  Charles  Wesley's  son,  of  whom  she 
remarks,  "the  King  says  he  is  equal  to  Handel,"  in 
forming  a  powerful  band  of  singers.  Shrubsole,  a  noted 
composer,  was  the  organist  of  the  chapel. 

During  the  lifetime  of  the  Countess,  Spafields  became 
the  centre  of  her  sphere  of  usefulness,  and  her  town  re- 
sidence. She  lived  in  the  house  adjoining  the  chapel, 
which  was  then  so  openly  situated  that,  from  her  draw- 
ing-room window,  she  could  see  the  distant  hamlets  of 
High  gate  and  Hampstead ;  there  she  transacted  the  prin- 
cipal business  of  her  Connexion ;  there  she  died  ;  and 
thence  she  was  buried.  For  nearly  half  a  century,  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  by  a  succession  of  ministers,  according 
to  the  original  plan  of  the  Connexion  ;  but  at  length 
local  changes,  and  other  circumstances,  induced  the  desire 
for  a  settled  pastor.  In  the  year  184(3,  the  Rev.  T.  E. 
Thoresby,  the  present  minister,  was  unanimously  invited 
by  the  people ;  by  whose  faithful  ministry,  the  congrega- 
tion— which  for  many  years  was  perhaps  the  largest  and 
wealthiest  in  the  metropolis,  but  had  become  reduced  by 
local  influences — has  revived,  and  now  occupies  a  com- 
manding position.  The  lease  of  the  chapel  expired  in 
1842,  and  great  anxiety  was  felt  by  the  congregation  as 
to  the  probability  of  renewing  it.  The  Trustees  of  the 
Connexion  not  only  refused  to  assist,  but  even  decided 
to  relinquish  this,  the  finest  chapel  in  the  Connexion ; 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Conference,  therefore, 
took  the  matter  up,  and,  through  the  kindness  of  Alder- 
man Challis,  secured  a  temporary  lease.  At  length, 
after  many  disappointments,  a  new  lease  for  thirty-one 
years  from  Midsummer,  1855,  was  kindly  granted  by  the 
Marquis   of    Northampton,    on   exceedingly   favourable 


402  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

terms ;  the  chapel  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  beautified ; 
and  large  school-rooms  were  erected.  The  various 
institutions  connected  with  the  chapel  are  now  in  a  most 
flourishing  condition. 

During  the  time  Lady  Huntingdon  was  engaged  in 
these  transactions  respecting  Spafields  chapel,  she  was 
regulating  the  affairs  of  her  Connexion.  She  moved 
among  her  Societies  with  great  activity,  visited  her  prin- 
cipal chapels,  journeyed  into  fresh  districts  with  her 
ministers,  and  appointed  the  circuits  of  her  students.  At 
Bath  she  greatly  enjoyed  the  society  of  Lady  Glenorchy, 
who  had  now  left  Scotland,  and  was  establishing,  with 
Lady  Hope,  chapels  in  Devonshire  and  Somersetshire. 
Before  the  decision  of  the  ecclesiastical  court  frightened 
clergymen  from  her  chapels,  Bath  was  supplied  by  Yenn, 
Toplady,  and  other  popular  preachers,  whose  ministra- 
tions were  very  acceptable  to  the  people.  In  the  year 
1780,  a  few  persons  in  the  congregation,  disapproving  of 
the  liturgical  service,  separated,  and  formed  themselves 
into  an  Independent  church.  They  maintained  them- 
selves with  great  difficulty  till  1785 ;  when  the  Eev.  T. 
Tuppen  became  their  pastor ;  whose  ministry  was  so  suc- 
cessful, that  his  congregation  of  twenty-five  persons^  who 
first  heard  him,  increased  to  nearly  eight  hundred  in  a 
few  years.  Argyle  chapel  was  erected  for  him,  and 
opened  October  4th,  1790 ;  and  when  the  health  of  Mr. 
Tuppen  declined,  the  Eev.  William  Jay  became  his  suc- 
cessor, and  laboured  at  Bath  for  more  than  fifty  years. 
The  chapel  continued  to  be  supplied  by  able  and  devoted 
ministers,  especially  by  Dr.  Haweis ;  it  was  for  a  long 
period  the  resort  of  the  nobility,  when  visiting  the  fash- 
ionable city;  and  for  many  years  has  been  favoured  with 
the  labours  of  the  Eev.  John  Owen,  who  still  attracts  a 
large  and  wealthy  audience  to  listen  to  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation. 

For  some  time  past  there  had  existed  a  misunderstand- 


DI.^.'-CIES     WITH     TRUSTEES.  403 

ing   between   Ladj   Huntingdon    and   the   trustees    of 
Whitefield's  chapels ;  which  arose  from  the  conduct  of 
certain    individuals   connected  with    the    Gloustershire 
Association.     Gloucester  and  Cheltenham  had  for  many 
years  enjoyed  the  labours  of  her  chaplain  and  ministers. 
Messrs.  Venn,  Madan,  Talbot,  and  others  had  preached 
in  the  churches ;  and  Lord  Dartmouth  had  thrown  open 
his  house  at  Cheltenham  for  divine  service.     The  Coun- 
tess  had   been   there   several   times,  and  expressed  the 
hope  ''to  be  enabled  to  pay  attention  to  this  interesting 
field   of  labour."     Soon   after   the  establishment  of  her 
College,  the  Gloucester  Association  requested  the  aid  of 
her  students ;  and  she  sent  some  of  them  to  preach  at 
Cheltenham,  and  other  parts  of  Gloucestershire.     From 
several  incidents  which  transpired,  she  suspected  a  de- 
sign to  seduce  her  students,  and  get  possession  of  her 
chapels.     The   possibility   of  such   an  event   filled   her 
with  the  greatest  alarm :  and  she  commissioned  Mr.  Ber- 
ridge  to  wait  on  the  trustees  in  London,  and  privately 
ascertain   their   intentions.     He    assured   her    that   her 
suspicions  were  groundless,  for  "  the  trustees  have  been 
your  hearty  friends  and  faithful  servants."     She,   how- 
ever, could  not  dismiss  the  impression  she  had  received  ; 
and  the  unfriendly  feeling  they  manifested     towards  Spa- 
field's  chapel,  and  the  conduct  of  the  Gloucester  Associa- 
tion, confirmed  her  suspicions.     She  had  been  requested 
to  supply  a  chapel  in  Cheltenham  with  her  students  ;  and, 
among  others,  sent  Mr.  Shenstone,  whom,  after  a  short 
stay,  she  ordered  to  France,  and  sent  another  student  to 
supply   his  place.     Shenstone,    however,  refused   to  re- 
move ;  and  the  Countess  entered  into  a  correspondence 
with  the  managers,  and  at  length  withdrew  her  sevices 
from  Cheltenham. 

Mr.  Shenstone  remained  in  the  town,  and  established 
a  small  Baptist  congregation,  which  with  a  little  Wes- 
leyan  chapel,  and  the  parish  church,  constituted  for  some 


404  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDOX. 

time  the  odIj  accommodation  for  public  worship  in 
Cheltenham.  In  the  year  1808  the  foundation  of  a 
chapel  was  laid  by  Kowland  Hill,  on  the  plan  of  her 
Ladyship's  Connexion ;  which  was  opened  in  the  fo^V  v- 
ing  year,  and  was  supplied  by  various  minister^^,  nil 
the  Eev.  John  Brown  was  appointed  tlie  resident  paste 
In  1816,  Kobert  Capper,  Esq.,  came  to  reside  at  Chelten- 
ham, and  built,  at  his  own  expense,  a  handsome  and 
commodious  place  of  worship,  called  Portland  chapel, 
which  after  a  short  time,  was  vested  in  the  hands  of  the 
Connexion  trustees.  The  chapel  was  supplied  by  a  rota- 
tion of  ministers  till  the  Eev.  E.  Parry  became  the 
pastor ;  and  after  his  removal  to  London,  the  Rev.  L.  J. 
Wake  was  appointed,  and  still  continues  to  discharge 
his  ministrations  in  Cheltenham. 

Unpleasant  differences  also  arose  respecting  the  Welsh 
Association,  in  which  Rowland  Hill  was  involved.  Lady 
Huntingdon  had  taken  the  deepest  interest  in  the  career 
of  this  celebrated  minister,  and  had  befriended  him,  when 
exposed  to  the  opposition  of  his  family.  He  invariably 
treated  her  with  great  respect;  but  his  exuberant  wit 
sometimes  led  him  to  say  things  in  preaching,  which,  on 
reflection,  he  wished  he  had  not  uttered.  He  appears  to 
have  given  her  great  offence,  as  she  says,  ^'  by  taking 
possession  of  two  congregations  the  College  had  laboured 
in,  and  raised  to  me  at  my  great  expense ;  and  trying 
every  means  to  reflect  and  bring  disgrace  upon  us  all,  by 
trying  to  divide  my  friends  from  me,  and  so  taking  us 
all  up,  at  times,  as  his  merry-andrews  into  the  pulpit, 
and  leaving  a  bitter  sting,  as  far  as  he  could,  through  his 
evil  jokes.  All  this,"  she  adds,  '^  though  not  fair  nor 
upright,  I  should  have  so  far  despised  as,  for  peace'  sake, 
to  have  passed  over ;  but  it  is  the  worm  that  lies  at  the 
bottom  of  the  gourd  in  Wales."  Mr.  Hill  expressed  his 
sorrow  at  having  offended  her,  and  afterwards  proposed 
to  atone  for  his  faults  by  preaching  at   her  chapels  in 


BOWLAND   niLL.  405 

London ;  but  she  could  not  forget  how  he  had  treated 
her^  and  deemed  it  necessary  to  forbid  him  preaching  in 
her  pulpits,  lest  he  should  cause  the  same  unhappy  dis- 
sensions as  had  taken  place  in  AVales.  She,  however, 
entertained  a  high  opinion  of  his  talents ;  and  when  he 
erected  Surrey  chapel,  in  1782,  she  sent  him  a  liberal  do- 
nation, as  a  mark  of  her  approbation  of  his  earnest  zeal 
and  piety.  She  says,  "Though  I  have  seen  sufficient  cause 
to  exclude  him  from  serving  in  my  chapels,  for  the  present, 
yet  I  cordially  rejoice  in  the  success  that  has  attended 
his  faithful  labours.  My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to 
God  is,  that  this  undertaking  may  prosper  most  abund- 
antly, and  that  very  many  souls  may  there  be  gathered 
to  the  true  Shiloh,  such  as  will  be  his  joy  and  crown  in 
the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 


406  MEMOIK     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 


CHAPTER  XXIV.    A.D.    1781—1783. 

EXTRAORDINARY  TIMES  AND  MEASURES. — VAST  INCREASE 
OF  LABOUR. — TRIALS  OF  THE  COUNTESS. — READING. — 
ITINERANT  PREACHING  OF  FOUR  CLERGYMEN  THROUGH- 
OUT ENGLAND. — MR.  GLASCOTT. — TUNBRIDGE  WELLS. — 
CHARITABLE   ABUSES  AT   ETWALL  AND  REFTON — VALUE 

OF  LADY  Huntingdon's  college. — prayers  for  her 

STUDENTS. — DEMAND  FOR  ORDAINED  MINISTERS. — FIRST 
ORDINATION   AT   SPAFIELDS. 

When  an  urgent  and  important  work  has  to  be  imme- 
diately accomplished;  the  earnest  mind  will  not  be  very 
fastidious  in  selecting  the  means  to  accomplish  it.  The 
manner  in  which  it  is  effected  will  be  forgotten  in  the 
great  end  that  is  realized.  The  rules  of  art  may  be  vio- 
lated, the  accustomed  routine  departed  from,  and  the 
work  roughly  accomplished ;  yet  far  more  good  may 
have  resulted  than  could  have  been  secured  by  a  strict 
adherence  to  an  established  order.  Circumstances  often 
justify  the  use  of  extraordinary  measures;  and  honour, 
instead  of  censure,  is  usually  given  to  those  fearless  and 
heroic  minds,  who  use  singular  efforts  to  rescue  men 
from  impending  dangers.  Lady  Huntingdon  felt  that 
the  sad  condition  of  England  justified  her  in  the  means 
she  employed  to  accomplish  her  blessed  work.  She  saw 
the  spiritual  darkness  which  Avas  overclouding  the  peo- 
ple ;  she  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  character 
of  the  agency  already  in  existence,  and  had  witnessed 
how  insufficient  it  was  to  reach  the  masses  of  the  people; 


TRIALS     OF     THE     COUNTESS.  407 

and  she  directed  the  energies  of  her  powerful  mind,  and 
enlisted  her  ardent  feelings,  to  bring  the  sound  of  the 
gospel  within  the  hearing  of  the  people,  and  to  warn, 
instruct  and  allure  them  by  its  peaceful  strains.  Instead 
of  being  honoured  for  her  work,  her  labours  were  de- 
nounced as  irregular,  and  her  name  was  blackened  with 
reproach.  She,  however,  could  not  give  up  her  endeav- 
our to  save  souls ;  and  every  year  her  sphere  expanded, 
and  her  labours  increased.  Her  name  was  known 
throughout  the  British  Isles;  her  students  visited  the 
towns  and  villages  of  the  country ;  thousands  looked  up 
to  her  for  guidance  and  support ;  and  every  day  fresh 
calls  came  to  her  Ladyship  for  her  assistance.  She  says, 
"I  have  known  this  work  forty  years,  and  never  have  I 
known  such  various  prosperity  attending  it." 

It  would  be  almost  impossible  to  convey  any  accurate 
idea  of  the  vast  amount  of  labour  which  she  had  at  this 
time  upon  her  hands,  and  the  care  and  anxiety  which 
she  experienced  on  behalf  of  her  chapels.  The  College 
was  full  of  devoted  students,  in  whom  the  spirit  of  Christ 
glowed  with  great  power  ;  the  congregations  in  England 
and  Ireland  were  flourishing  in  numbers  and  spirituality  ; 
and  the  benighted  districts  were  struggling  with  the 
light  she  had  brought  into  them.  Lady  Huntingdon, 
however,  had  to  pass  through  many  trials,  and  experienced 
much  sorrow,  as  well  as  great  joy.  Her  health  was 
failing  her,  that  she  was  seldom  free  from  indisposition ; 
her  mind  was  almost  weighed  down  by  the  increasing 
business  of  her  work ;  and  her  heart  was  kept  in  a  con- 
stant state  of  alarm  by  the  opposition  she  met  with  from 
wicked  men.  She  says,  "I  am  a  poor  worm,  ready  to  be 
crushed  every  moment,  yet  reviving  afresh  to  fight  the 
Lord's  battles."  The  persecution  of  the  ecclesiastical 
courts  drove  some  of  her  finest  preachers  from  her  chap- 
els ;  the  differences  with  Whitefield's  trustees  caused  her 
great  uneasiness ;  the  attempts  which  were  made  to  se- 


40S         MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

duce  her  studentS;  and  rob  her  of  her  chapels,  excited  her 
indignation  ;  and  the  fickleness  of  some  of  her  congrega- 
tions cast  a  shade  over  her  prospects. 

At  Beading,  her  heart  had  been  greatly  cheered  by  the 
evangelical  conduct  of  Mr.  Cadogan,  who  had  become 
truly  converted  to  Christ,  and  was  now  more  zealous 
for,  than  he  had  been  against,  the  truth.  The  Countess 
wrote  him  a  long  letter,  in  answer  to  his  request  for  her 
advice  ;  in  which  she  exhorts  him  to  be  bold  in  his  Mast- 
er's service — to  keep  the  cross  ever  before  the  minds  of 
his  hearers-^to  warm  his  soul  by  the  recollection  that 
there  are  millions  perishing  in  sin — and  to  make  the 
Saviour  the  sum  and  substance  of  his  preaching.  To- 
wards the  close  of  1781,  her  mind  was  greatly  distressed 
by  unpleasant  differences  which  sprang  up  in  her  con- 
gregation at  Eeading,  when  some  of  the  people  wished  to 
have  a  settled  minister,  and  to  be  organized  as  a  dissent- 
ing church.  Lady  Huntingdon  had  always  acted  on  the 
plan  of  supplying  her  chapels  with  a  rotation  of  ministers, 
as  best  calculated  to  keep  alive  the  interest  of  the  con- 
gregation ;  and  she  refused  to  be  fettered  in  her  opera- 
tions. She,  therefore,  communicated  to  her  friends  at 
Eeading,  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  her  to  counten- 
ance them  as  "■  a  dry  formal  body,"  and  that,  if  such  was 
their  determination,  her  services  would  be  withdrawn. 

Notwithstanding  these  discouragements,  she  had  the 
happiness  of  seeing  that  God  was  blessing  her  labours, 
and  that  the  fields  were  covered  with  a  golden  harvest, 
and  awaiting  the  services  of  her  labourers.  She  determined 
to  send  her  most  distinguished  ministers  throughout  the 
country,  and  gather  the  fruits  into  the  garner  of  her 
Master.  She  appointed  four  clergymen  to  the  work,  and 
divided  England  into  four  districts,  throughout  which 
they  were  to  itinerate,  and  blow  the  gospel  trumpet.  She 
printed  a  circular-letter,  and  addressed  it  to  her  various 
Societies,  in  which  she  says : — 


ITINEKANT     PREACHIN-G.  409 

"From  the  various  calls  of  many  of  the  counties  in 
England,  it  appears  an  important  consideration  to  us, 
and  alike  to  all,  that  every  means  in  our  power  should 
be  engaged  for  those  many  thousands  lying  in  darkness 
and  in  the  shadow  of  death,  that  the  voice  of  the  gospel, 
by  our  faithful  ministers,  should  reach  them  also.  For 
this  best  end,  it  was  concluded,  at  a  late  meeting,  that  the 
only  means  effectually  to  reach  the  multitudes  was,  that 
the  four  principal  ministers,  Mr.  Glascott,  Mr.  AVills,  Mr. 
Taylor,  and  Mr.  Piercy,  should  for  three  months  visit 
universally,  in  four  different  departments,  and,  thus 
severally  taken,  preach  through  the  counties,  towns,  and 
villages  of  the  kingdom,  by  a  general  voice  or  procla- 
mation of  the  glorious  gospel  of  peace  to  lost  sinners." 

The  Countess  requested  contributions  from  her  friends 
towards  the  expense,  and  set  a  noble  example  by  giving 
fifty  pounds  towards  it ;  and  urged  them  in  their  various 
localities  to  aid  these  ministers  in  their  work  of  faith. 
The  churches  caught  the  spirit  of  their  leader,  and  for- 
warded to  the  London  Committee  at  Spafields  a  large  sum 
of  money.  The  four  clergymen  set  out  on  their  respec- 
tive journeys,  and  everywhere  met  with  great  kindness 
and  success.  They  sent  her  regular  reports,  which  were 
afterwards  published,  with  an  interesting  account  of  the 
work  by  the  Eev.  T.  Pentycross.  They  often  encoun- 
tered the  most  marvellous  incidents.  They  preached  in 
chapels  and  halls,  in  streets  and  lanes,  in  open-fields  and 
commons,  wherever  and  whenever  the  people  would  hear 
them.  At  Darlaston,  fifteen  hundred  colliers  and  nailers 
turned  out  to  welcome  Mr.  Glascott,  who  took  the  mid- 
land circuit.  At  Dudley,  two  thousand  persons  crowded 
the  streets;  at  Nottingham,  raore  than  five  thousand 
flocked  to  the  market-cross.  Mr.  Wills  took  the  western 
circuit,  aud  preached  with  great  success  among  the  tin- 
miners,  and  the  agriculturalists.  The  northern  circuit 
formed  a  fine  sphere  of  labour ;  and  at  one  place,  twelve 

35 


410  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

thousand  persons  assembled  in  a  hollow  ground,  where 
thej  were  arranged  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheatre,  and 
presented  a  deeply  impressive  spectacle.  No  one 
can  peruse  the  public  documents  without  acknow- 
ledging the  great  good  that  was  affected.  Many  were 
converted  to  the  Lord ;  the  gospel  standard  was  erected 
in  many  towns  and  villages ;  and  small  congregations 
were  gathered,  whicb  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  stu- 
dents grew  into  important  churches.  England  requires 
now  just  such  an  extensive  itinerancy  by  able  and  devo- 
ted ministers. 

Lady  Huntingdon  met  with  many  difficulties  from  the 
want  of  pious  clergymen  to  assist  her  in  her  efforts. 
The  unpleasant  affairs  connected  with  her  estates  in 
Georgia,  caused  Mr.  Piercy  to  withdraw  his  services.  Mr. 
Glascott  was  presented  by  Mr.  Ireland  with  the  living  at 
Hatherleigh,  in  Devonsliire ;  and  a  long  and  interesting 
correspondence  ensued  between  him  and  the  Countess  re- 
specting his  future  position,  and  his  ability  to  serve  her. 
She  had  cherished  the  hope  that  he  would  have  remained 
with  her;  she  told  him  that  she  would  continue  his 
salary  for  his  life,  and  assured  him  of  her  undiminished 
affection.  He  replied  to  her  letters,  and  stated  his  deter- 
mination not  to  accept  the  living,  if  the  Bishop  insisted 
on  his  constant  residence;  and  the  Countess  graphically 
pictured  her  desolate  condition,  and  her  great  grief,  if  his 
name  was  to  be  added  to  the  list  of  those  who  had  left 
her.  She  was,  therefore,  greatly  surprised  when  the 
tidings  reached  her,  that  Mr.  Glascott  had  not  carried  out 
the  intentions  he  had  proposed  to  her;  and  when  the 
Bishop  required  him  on  his  oath  to  reside  in  his  parish, 
and  to  give  up  all  other  efforts,  instead  of  resigning,  he 
had  signed  the  deed,  and  quietly  settled  down  in  a  coun- 
try parish.  She  wrote  him  a  long  letter^  in  which  she 
justly  reprimands  him  for  his  hesitancy,  for  deserting  her 
and  the  Lord's  work  when  she  was  in  difficulties,  for 


TUNBRIDGE     WELLS.  411 

contradicting  his  assertions,  that  nothing  should  prevent 
his  services  among  her  societies,  and  for  treating  her 
friendship  and  kindness  to  him  in  such  an  uncourteous 
manner.  She,  however,  expressed  her  firm  conviction 
that  God  would  raise  up  many  faithful  labourers,  and 
would  take  care  that  his  glory  should  not  be  tarnished. 

Lady  Huntingdon  had,  for  some  years  past,  been  very 
anxious  to  have  a  resident  minister  at  Tunbridge  Wells, 
to  superintend  the  work  in  the  southern  district.     She, 
however,  experienced  many  disappointments,  which  then 
led  her  to  dismiss  the  subject  from  her  mind.     The  great 
difficulty  in  obtaining  the  assistance  of  evangelical  clergy- 
men, and  the  bitter  efforts  of   her  persecutors,  induced 
her  to  offer  to  place  the  chapel  in  the  hands  of  the  Eev. 
W.  Taylor,   and  to  give  him  the  entire  control  of  the 
work  in  Kent.     He  was  still  to   co-operate   with   Mr. 
Wills,  in  London,  to  preach  at  Bath  in  the  winter,  and  to 
have  the  services  of  her  students,  or  of   a  seceding  or- 
dained minister.     She  says,  "  Should  you  approve  it,  the 
sooner  it  is  done,  the  better,   as  an  ordination  must  be 
soon,  or  the  dissenters  will  have  all  our  congregations, 
and  our  students  also."     Mr.  Taylor  accepted  the  offer ; 
and  this  chapel  was  supplied  by  various  ministers  till  the 
year  1809,  when  the  Eev.  John  Finley  was  unanimously 
requested  to  become  the  pastor,  under  whose  zealous  and 
devoted  labours  for  forty-one   years,   the   congregation 
steadily   increased,   and  many   illustrious   hearers   were 
brought  to  the  Saviour.     His  successor,  the  Eev.  George 
Jones,  is  the  present  minister  of  her  Ladyship's  chapel. 

The  Countess,  in  addition  to  the  enormous  labours  she 
was  regulating  in  all  parts  of  England  and  Wales,  was 
ever  on  the  alert  to  enter  upon  fresh  fields  of  usefulness, 
where  she  saw  a  prospect  of  success.  The  limits  of  this 
volume  prevent  us  following  her  on  her  usual  journeys 
to  the  chapels  she  had  erected;  and  her  letters  alone 
would  form  a  larsre  and  interesting  volume.     Nor  did  she 


412  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

confine  her  efforts  to  the  religious  condition  of  the  people. 
She  watched  the  movements  of  all  parties  v/ith  -un- 
wearied attention  ;  exposed,  and  attempted  to  remedy, 
every  thing  prejudicial  to  morality ;  and  investigated 
abuses,  as  far  as  her  influence  and  opportunity  extended. 
In  the  year  1782,  her  attention  was  directed  to  the  state 
of  the  Hospital  of  Etwall,  and  the  Free  School  of  Kepton, 
in  the  county  of  Derby.  These  charities  had  been  foun- 
ded and  endowed  by  Sir  John  Port  for  the  reception  of 
poor,  disabled  day-labourers  in  the  Hospital,  and  the  free 
education  of  poor  boys  in  the  School.  In  the  course  of 
time,  the  property  had  very  much  increased  in  value ; 
but  the  number  of  the  poor,  and  the  allowance  they  re- 
ceived, remained  the  same.  Three  trustees.  Lord  Hunt- 
ingdon, Lord  Chesterfield,  and  the  Eev.  W  Cotton,  held 
the  property  in  trust,  and  appointed  governors  to  manage 
the  affairs  of  the  Institution.  Lady  Huntingdon  instantly 
made  searching  inquiries  into  the  real  state  of  these 
charities ;  and  when  aware  of  the  existence  of  gross  mis- 
appropriation of  funds,  she  addressed  letters  to  each  of 
the  trustees  informing  them  of  the  abuses,  and  recom- 
mending them  to  appoint  a  suitable  person  thoroughly  to 
investigate  the  charities.  Her  letters  on  this  subject 
evince  extraordinary  talents;  and  show  most  distinctly, 
that  her  powers  of  mind,  in  her  seventy -fourth  year,  were 
by  no  means  impaired.  The  list  of  queries,  which  she 
proposed  should  be  considered,  manifests  much  legal 
knowledge,  a  great  discrimination,  and  humanity,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  a  resolute  determination  to  detect  and 
remedy  existing  abuses.  She  proposed  that  the  will  of 
the  benefactor  should  be  examined,  the  condition  of  the 
estate  thoroughly  gone  into,  and  the  various  items  of  re- 
ceipts and  expenditure  scrutinized.  She  modestly  hinted 
at  the  best  means  of  increasing  the  revenues  of  the 
charity,  and  of  placing  the  establishment  in  conformity 
with  the  will  of  the  benevolent  founder.     Her  son  and 


ORDINATION     AT     SI'A  FIELDS.  41:] 

Lord  Chesterfield  warmly  applauded  her  zeal,  and  ap- 
proved her  suggestions;  and  though  the  other  trustee  did 
not  answer  her  communications^  she  had  the  satisfaction 
of  seeing  the  charity  renovated  and  flourishing. 

The  position  in  which  the  ecclesiastical  law-suits  had 
placed  Lady  Huntingdon,  enabled  her  to  appreciate  the 
value  of  her  College,  She  could  not  sufficiently  bless 
God,  for  permitting  her  to  establish  that  valuable  insti- 
tution, and  for  shielding  her  from  persecution  till  it  had 
trained  up  a  band  of  holy  ministers.  She  watched  over 
her  students  with  maternal  care,  and  maintained  a  corres- 
pondence with  them,  when  they  were  labouring  in  distant 
places.  She  cheered  the  desponding,  encouraged  the 
timid,  fired  the  zeal  of  the  fainting,  and  moderated  the 
impetuosity  of  the  ardent.  She  was  the  centre  of  all  their 
movements,  the  spring  of  all  their  activities,  the  source 
of  the  mighty  influences  which  streamed  in  all  directions ; 
yet  she  was  profoundly  humble,  and  looked  up  to  Hea- 
ven alone  for  strength  and  success.  She  says,  "  I  have 
never  sent  a  student  forth  to  preach  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ,  without  special  prayer  and  supplication 
to  God,  that  he  would  be  graciously  pleased  to  bless  the 
feeble  instruments,  and  enable  them  to  deliver,  with 
fidelity  and  zeal,  his  proclamation  of  mercy  to  the  guilty 
and  rebellious  children  of  men — to  enrich  their  under- 
standings— to  cultivate  their  talents — to  endue  them  with 
hearts  of  deeper  sensibility  for  the  ignorance  and  misery 
of  their  fellow  men — and  crown  their  labours  with  a 
harvest  of  immortal  souls,  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb." 

It  cannot  be  wondered  at,  that,  animated  with  the  ex- 
ample of  their  noble  patroness,  and  blessed  with  the 
heavenly  influences  which  her  fervent  prayers  drew  upon 
them,  the  students  were  very  successful  in  their  labours. 
The  little  preaching-stations  expanded  into  flourishing 
congregations ;  the  "  two  or  three"  formed  the  nucleus  of 

35* 


414  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

importaDt  societies ;  and  the  regular  administration  of 
the  ordinances,  as  well  as  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  was 
demanded.  The  Lord's  Supper  and  Baptism  had  hither- 
to been  administered  by  episcopalty-ordained  clergymen, 
as  frequently  as  they  could  visit  the  different  localities  ; 
but  now  the  demand  for  their  services  was  so  great,  and 
their  number  so  small,  that  many  places  were  threatened 
with  the  loss  of  their  spiritual  ordinances.  The  attention 
of  the  Countess  was,  therefore,  directed  towards  supply- 
ing this  want.  Before  the  persecution  arose,  she  had 
been  enabled  to  secure  episcopal  ordination  for  some  of 
her  students ;  but  now  it  could  not  be  procured,  or  if  so, 
they  were  not  permitted  to  labour  in  her  Connexion. 
After  much  consultation  with  Messrs.  Taylor  and  Wills, 
and  prayer,  she  resolved  to  have  six  of  her  students 
ordained  on  the  plan  which  was  deemed  most  appropri- 
ate, and  which  has  been  continued  in  her  Connexion. 

On  Sunday,  March  9th,  1783,  a  large  congregation 
was  assembled  at  Spafields  chapel  to  witness  the  first 
ordination.  At  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Eevs. 
"W.  Taylor  and  T.  Wills  entered  the  chapel  with  six 
young  men  from  the  College.  The  clergymen  took  their 
seats  at  each  end  of  the  communion-table,  the  candidates 
sat  in  front,  and  the  committee  of  the  chapel  at  each  side. 
After  singing  a  hymn,  Mr.  Taylor  fervently  prayed  for 
the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  their  solemn  en- 
gagement, and  affectionately  commended  the  candidates 
and  all  Christian  ministers  to  the  protection  of  Heaven 
He  then  addressed  the  congregation,  and  narrated  to 
them  the  peculiar  difficulty  in  which  her  Ladyship's 
ministers  were  placed.  The  ecclesiastical  laws  prevented 
them,  as  ministers  of  the  Establishment,  preaching  the 
gospel,  except  under  such  restraints  as  would  necessitate 
their  relinquishing  the  great  work  in  which  they  were 
engaged.  As  honest  men  they  could  not  violate  estab- 
lished laws,   nor  give  up  the  work  to  which  God  had 


OEDINATION     SEKVICE.  415 

evidently  called  them.  They  were,  therefore,  necessi- 
tated to  shelter  themselves  under  the  Toleration  Act ; 
and  thus  preach  the  gospel,  and  expound  the  doctrines 
of  that  church,  whose  discipline  prevented  them,  while 
within  its  pale,  carrying  on  their  labours.  They  felt 
that  Christ  had  given  them  a  commission  to  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature;  and  thej^  separated  from  the 
Establishment,  solely  that  they  might  conscientiously 
carry  out  their  mission,  and  promote  the  spread  of  the 
gospel  in  benighted  England,  and  the  welfare  of  immor- 
tal souls.  Mr.  Taylor  then  addressed  the  candidates  on 
the  difficulties  and  responsibilities  of  the  ministerial 
office;  prayed  for  them;  and  read  the  scriptures  in 
Ezek.  xxxiii.  1 — 16. 

After  singing  the  hymn,  "Captain  of  thine  enlisted 
host,"  Mr.  Wills  rose,  and  informed  the  congregation 
that  one  of  the  candidates  would  read  the  Articles  of 
Faith,  which  had  been  signed  by  himself,  Mr.  Taylor, 
and  the  candidates,  and  was  to  be  signed  by  all  the  min- 
isters of  Lady  Huntingdon's  Connexion.  This  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  consists  of  fifteen  articles,  which  embody 
the  evangelical  doctrines  contained  in  the  Thirty-nine 
Articles  of  the  Church  of  England.  After  this,  each  rose 
in  succession,  and  narrated  the  circumstances  which  led 
to  his  conversion,  and  his  call  to  the  ministry.  Mr. 
Wills  then  gave  a  clear  and  forcible  address ;  in  which 
he  pointed  out  to  the  people  that  the  Scriptures  gave 
them  the  right  of  ordaining  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
and  showed,  by  entering  fully  into  the  circumstances  of 
their  past  history  and  present  position,  the  necessity  of 
now  exercising  that  right.  He  then  offered  the  ordina- 
tion prayer ;  after  which,  the  two  clergymen  laid  their 
hands  on  the  heads  of  two  of  the  candidates^  who  ad- 
vanced to  the  rails,  and  putting  the  Bible  into  their 
hands,  repeated  the  words,  ''Take  thou  authority  to 
preach  the  word  of  God,  and  to  administer  the  appointed 


416  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

ordinances,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  Two  others  then  advanced 
when  the  same  ceremony  was  repeated  till  all  were  de- 
signated to  their  office.  After  singing,  Mr.  Wills,  from 
the  pulpit,  gave  a  solemn  charge  to  the  ministers,  and 
then  administered  the  sacrament.  Though  the  whole 
service  lasted  more  than  five  hours,  it  was  witnessed  by 
the  congregation  with  the  greatest  attention  and  solem- 
nity. The  event  was  important  in  the  career  of  Lady 
Huntingdon;  it  gave  solidity  to  her  separation,  and 
compactness  to  her  movements ;  and  enabled  her  to  sup- 
ply the  wants  of  her  congregations,  and  to  raise  up  a 
band  of  ordained  ministers  to  feed  the  flock  of  Christ, 
and  to  administer  the  ordinances  of  religion,  and  to 
consolidate  the  extensive  revival  of  religion,  which  had 
been  effected  by  the  zealous  efforts  of  herself  and  her 
coadjutors. 


EXERTIONS     IN     CUMBERLAND.  417 


CHAPTER  XXY.    A.D.     1783—1790. 

EXERTIONS     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON     IN   CUMBERLAND. 

CHAPELS  AT  BOOTLE^  WHITEHAVEN,  AND  KENDAL. — 
ANXIETY  OF  THE  COUNTESS. — CHAPELS  AT  WEYMOUTH, 
HEREFORD,  AND  BIRMINGHAM.  —  ANECDOTE.  —  LORD 
DOUGLAS.  —  INTENDED  VISIT  OF  THE  COUNTESS  TO 
GERMANY. —  LETTER  TO  HER  NORWICH  FRIENDS. — 
POPISH  PLOTS. — ANECDOTE. — SEPARATION  OF  MR.  WILLS 
FROM  THE   CONNEXION. — SION   CHAPEL. — ANECDOTE. 

The  revival  of  religion  had  now  spread  over  nearly  the 
whole  of  England.     Every  county  had  been  traversed  by 
her  preachers,  and  had  resounded  with  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation  ;  and  in  most,  congregations  had  been  gather- 
ed, chapels  erected,  and  societies  formed.     The  principal 
towns   formed   the  centres  of  large  districts,  where  the 
gospel  was  preached,  and  the  people  gathered  together 
From  the  lakes  of  Cumberland  to  the  tin-mines  of  Corn 
wall ;  from  the  mountains  of  Wales  to  the  fens  of  Lin 
colnshire,  or  the  wilds  of  Sussex,  the  name  of  Lady  Hun 
tingdon  was  known  and  honoured.     The  county  of  Cum^ 
bcrland    had    received    considerable   attention,    Messrs, 
Komaine  and  De  Courcy  had  preached  in  several  of  the 
parish  churches — especially  in  that  of  Bootle — and  were 
the  means  of  reviving  the  cause  of  religion  in  those  parts. 
On    one    occasion,    Romaine   was   invited   to   preach  at 
Bootle  ;  and  on  ascending  the  pulpit  stairs,  he  found  that 
the  door  had  been  fastened,  he  suspected,  by  a  black- 
smith who  was  a  noted  enemy  to  evangelical  religion. 


418  MEMOIR     OP     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

He   desired   the   clerk  to   sing   a   long  psalm  while  he 
obtained  a  hammer,  with  which  he  speedily  opened  the 
pulpit  door,  and  preached  to  the  people  the  word  of  life. 
i  When  the  gospel  was  expelled  from  the  church,  a  barn 

^  was  obtained,  and  licensed  for  public  worship,  in  which 

one  of  the  students  officiated.  The  place  soon  became 
too  small,  and  a  commodious  chapel  was  erected  by  the 
munificence  of  J.  Whitridge,  Esq.,  which  was  opened 
July  30th,  1780.  The  students  undertook  the  charge  of 
this  congregation,  and  of  one  which  had  been  gathered 
in  the  sea-port  town  of  AVhitehaven.  At  Kendal,  a  town 
delightfully  situated  in  Westmoreland-,  Lady  Huntingdon 
erected  a  chapel,  which  was  included  in  the  Cumberland 
district. 

She  had  man}^  things  to  distress  her  in  the  course  of 
her  labours,  sometimes  from  the  conduct  of  her  students 
and  congregations.  Mr.  Derbyshire,  a  student,  who  had 
been  supplying  large  congregations  in  Staffordshire, 
removed  from  his  appointed  station  without  consulting 
her,  and  repaired  to  Whitehaven  where  Mr.  Jones  was 
labouring.  She  could  not  permit  her  plans  to  be  dis- 
arranged ;  she  severely  reprimanded  him  for  his  conduct, 
and  wrote  to  Mr.  Jones,  stating  that  she  had  requested 
Mr.  Gray  from  Kendal,  and  Williams  from  Bootle,  "to 
go  over  and  assure  the  people  of  my  resolution,  that  he, 
Derbyshire,  must  leave  the  Connexion,  if  he  does  not 
leave  Whitehaven  directly."  Her  Ladyship  was  also 
much  distressed  at  the  attempts  which  were  still  being 
made  to  induce  her  students  to  desert  her.  She  often 
expressed  her  abhorrence  at  such  meanness ;  and  in  a 
letter  to  one  of  Wesley's  preachers,  who  wished  to  join 
her  Connexion,  she  says,  "  I  am  exceedingly  cautious 
who  I  receive  out  of  other  Connexions,  thinking  it  by 
no  means  honourable  to  engage  another's  friend  from  his 
help;  and  though  this  is  shamefully  practised  in  other 
bodies  of  people,  yet  I  look  upon  it  as  base,  and  in  every 


WHITEHAVEN  AND   KENDAL   CHAPELS.    419 

sense  unwarrantable,  and  as  wanting  common  moral 
honesty  in  any  who  so  practise  it."  In  another  letter, 
she  calls  it  ''a  practice  I  must  despise  from  its  meanness 
and  baseness." 

Lady  Huntingdon  had  erected  a  chapel  at  Weymouth, 
a  town  in  Dorsetshire  which  had  been  brought  into  repute 
as  a  fashionable  watering-place  by  her  intimate  friend, 
Ealph  Allen,  Esq.,  of  Prior  Park,  Batb,  and  was  now 
much  resorted  to  by  the  nobility.  After  a  season  of 
great  prosperity,  there  arose  an  unpleasant  division  among 
the  people,  which  occasioned  the  resignation  of  some  of 
the  managers.  Two  of  the  students  also  were  charged 
with  serious  offences  by  Mr.  "Wickers ;  and  the  Countess 
requested  her  attorney  to  institute  the  strictest  investiga- 
tion into  the  whole  affair.  There  arose  also  at  this 
period  some  difficulties  connected  with  the  chapel  she 
was  erecting  at  Hereford,  which  occasioned  her  consider- 
able embarrassment  and  anxiety.  Mrs.  Paul,  who  had 
been  her  correspondent  in  Dublin,  removed  to  Hereford, 
and  drew  her  attention  to  the  spiritual  destitution  of  the 
locality.  Lady  Huntingdon  resolved  to  erect  a  place  of 
worship  in  this  city,  and  treated  with  Mr.  Stone  for  a 
building  to  be  converted  into  a  chapel,  towards  which  a 
hidy  contributed  a  handsome  sum.  Disputes,  however, 
soon  arose  respecting  the  control  of  the  property,  while 
the  whole  responsibility  rested  upon  her ;  and  a  volum- 
inous correspondence  ensued,  which  the  curious  can  con- 
sult elsewhere.  Thus  the  path  she  was  treading  was  full 
of  difficulties,  yet  her  faith  enabled  her  to  conquer  them, 
and  to  advance  in  her  career. 

Birmingham,  and  the  surrounding  neighbourhood,  had 
frequently  been  favoured  with  the  services  of  her  min- 
isters. Shortly  after  the  Eev.  J.  Eyland,  curate  to  Mr. 
Yenn,  had  been  appointed  to  St.  Mary's  chapel,  in  1774, 
the  Countess  sent  some  of  her  students  into  the  district, 
who  preached  in  the  streets  of  Birmingham,  and  particu- 


420  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDON. 

larly  on  a  vacant  spot  of  ground  in  Steelhouse  Lane, 
where  Whitefield  had  often  preached.  A  few  years 
after,  Lady  Huntingdon  was  offered,  at  a  trifling  ground- 
rent,  the  lease  of  the  large  theatre  in  King-Street ;  and  in 
a  letter,  dated  College,  June  5th,  1785,  she  says,  ''Bir- 
mingham's great  play-house  is  now  mine,  and  will  hold 
five  thousand  people!  Hereford  chapel  is  ready  for 
roofing.  Glory !  Glory  be  to  Our  God,  who  only  could 
do  these  wondrous  things.  I  can  add  no  more,  being  so 
weak."  The  Countess  must,  however,  have  been  misin- 
formed as  to  the  capacity  of  the  building,  for  it  contained 
but  one  gallery,  and  could  not  have  held  more  than  one 
thousand  people.  It  was  a  noble  sight  to  witness  the 
place  densely  packed  with  persons  eager  to  hear  the 
gospel.  The  first  minister  was  the  Eev.  John  Bradford, 
of  Wadham  College,  Oxford,  who  was  very  popular  with 
the  people.  A  pulpit  was  erected  on  the  front  of  the 
stage ;  and  the  people  crowded  into  the  boxes,  pit,  and 
gallery,  and  even  around  the  preacher  on  the  stage. 
They  listened  with  great  attention ;  but  whenever  Mr. 
Bradford  said  anything  striking,  they  immediately  clap- 
ped their  hands,  as  if  applauding  some  dramatic  scene. 
The  preacher  was  obliged  to  stop  till  the  bursts  of  ap- 
plause had  subsided ;  and  this  was  continued  for  some 
weeks,  till,  at  length,  the  audience  became  more  solemn, 
and  ceased  to  manifest  their  approbation  in  this  rousing 
manner. 

This  theatre  was  afterwards  converted  into  a  chapel ; 
and  when  Mr.  Bradford,  a  few  years  after,  maintained 
erroneous  doctrines,  he  was  expelled  from  this  place  of 
worship ;  the  congregation  was  scattered,  and  rent  into 
factions ;  and  when  the  Kev.  T.  Bennett  was  appointed, 
in  1805,  his  first  audience  consisted  of  only  three  or  four 
persons.  His  labours,  however,  were  so  successful,  that 
the  place  was  enlarged,  and  three  additional  galleries 
built ;  and  after  thirteen  years'  ministry,  the  Eev.  John 


CURIOUS     ANECDOTE.  421 

•Tones  became  his  assistant,  and,  six  weeks  after,  the  sole 
minister,  bj  the  death  of  the  venerable  pastor.  At  the 
expiration  of  the  lease,  the  property  relapsed  to  the  gov- 
ernors of  the  Free  Grammar  School,  who  demanded  a 
rental  of  £120  per  annum.  The  congregation  deemed 
this  sum  exorbitant  for  an  old  unsightly  building;  and 
commenced  a  new  gothic  chapel,  which  was  opened  by 
Dr.  Harris,  and  the  Rev.  J.  Sherman,  May  16th,  1841. 
When,  however,  the  London  and  North  -Western  railway 
passed  through  Birmingham,  this  edifice  was  pulled  down 
for  the  line ;  the  amount  of  compensation  was  decided 
b}^  a  jury ;  and  as  the  chapel  was  not  vested  in  trust,  the 
Directors  paid  the  money  into  the  Court  of  Chancery ;  at 
the  close  of  the  investigation  of  accounts,  the  remaining 
money  was  invested  in  trust,  in  conformity  with  the  Con- 
ference deed ;  and  a  chapel  has  been  purchased  in  Gooch 
Street  for  the  use  of  the  congregation. 

The  following  curious  anecdote  was  related  by  Lady 
Ann  Erskine  to  one  of  the  ministers  in  the  Connexion  : 
—Lady  Huntingdon  had  been  accustomed  to  keep  in  her 
house  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds,  in  order  to  de- 
fray the  expenses  of  her  funeral;  and  at  this  time  it  was 
her  wish  to  be  buried  in  white  satin.  This  money  was 
considered  so  sacred,  that  upon  no  account  was  it  to  be 
touched.  It  happened  that  she  was  much  pressed  for 
want  of  money  to  advance  on  behalf  of  the  chapel  at 
Birmingham.  She  said  to  Lady  Ann,  "  I  want  three 
hundred  pounds  !  I  have  no  money  in  the  house  but  that 
put  by  for  my  funeral.  For  the  first  time  in  my  life,  I 
feel  inclined  to  let  that  go."  Lady  Ann  replied,  ''I  shall 
be  glad  when  that  money  is  out  of  the  house.  You  can 
trust  God  with  your  soul;  why  not  with  your  fimeral?  " 
The  Countess  took  the  money ;  and  the  very  day  she  did 
so,  a  gentleman,  who  could  not  have  known  anything  of 
these  circumstances,  sent  her  a  cheque  for  three  hundred 
pounds,  to  aid  her  in  her  benevolent  labours.    Tlius  God 

36 


422  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

encouraged  her  to  depend  upon  him,  and  honoured  her 
faith  and  liberality. 

A  circumstance  occurred  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  about 
this  time,  which  wonderfully  displayed  the  malice  of  her 
enemies,  and  the  kind  interposition  of  Providence.  Lord 
Douglas,  a  descendant  from  an  ancient  Scottish  family, 
had  resided  some  years  at  Brussels,  where  he  lived  as  a 
professed  Papist.  This  nobleman  was  inflamed  with 
great  zeal  for  the  prosperity  of  his  church ;  and  planned 
a  most  diabolical  scheme  to  inflict  a  severe  blow  on  evan- 
gelical religion  in  England.  He  was  well  aware  of  the 
influence  and  exertions  of  Lady  Huntingdon ;  and  he 
thought  that  if  he  could  but  get  her  into  his  power,  and 
destroy  her  life,  her  plans  would  become  disorganized, 
and  the  Papal  church  would  be  able  to  carry  out  its  de- 
signs on  the  people  of  England,  without  incurring  the 
opposition  of  the  acknowledged  leader  of  all  zealous  Pro- 
testants. In  order  to  mask  his  intention,  he  came  over 
to  England,  and  pretended  that  his  mind  had  been  en- 
lightened to  see  the  errors  of  his  church,  and  made  a  re- 
cantation of  the  Eomish  faith.  He  regularly  attended 
the  Lock  chapel,  and  other  places  where  the  gospel  was 
preached ;  obtained  an  interview  with  the  Countess,  and 
ingratiated  himself  into  her  favour ;  and  departed  for 
Brussels  with  the  reputation  of  being  a  firm  Protestant, 
and  an  ardent  promoter  of  evangelical  religion. 

In  the  year  1785,  Lord  Douglas  sent  a  letter  to  Lady 
Huntingdon,  informing  her  that  an  opportunity  then 
offered  of  introducing  the  gospel  in  that  superstitious 
country,  that  he  had  a  cave  which  should  be  at  her  ser- 
vice, that  whoever  was  sent  over  should  be  under  his 
patronage  and  protection,  and  that  he  should  be  happy 
to  receive  a  visit  from  her  Ladyship  and  Mr.  Wills,  as 
he  had  much  at  heart  the  introduction  of  Protestantism 
and  of  gospel  truth  into  these  regions  of  Popish  dark- 
ness.    She  looked  carefully    at   the    whole    affair;    and 


LORD     DOUGLAS.  4'i:> 

regarding  it  as  a  favourable  opening  in  a  foreign  land, 
slie  thanked  him  for  his  invitation,  and  assured  him  that 
she  with  Mr.  Wills,  would  pay  him  a  visit  in  the  sum- 
mer. Her  Ladyship  was  at  this  time  at  her  College  in 
Wales,  and  busily  prepared  for  her  visit  to  Germany. 
She  fixed  the  day  on  which  she  would  meet  Mr.  Wills 
at  Spafields,  and  embark  for  the  Continent,  and  had  a 
new  carriage  prepared  expressly  for  the  expedition.  Her 
soul  was  filled  with  the  most  joyful  anticipation  ;  and  she 
wrote  to  her  ministers  and  managers,  to  aid  her  in  her 
fresh  enterprise  by  their  prayers  and  contributions.  The 
following  letter  to  her  friends  at  Norwich,  dated  College, 
April  10th,  1787,  refers  to  this  contemplated  visit  to  the 
Continent. 

"  My  very  worthy  and  beloved  Friends, — Sickness  and 
business  daily  almost  overpower  my  old  age ;  this  will 
account  for  any  neglect  of  mine,  as  my  heart  ever  re- 
mains the  same  to  you.  I  am  most  truly  obliged  by 
your  kind  letter  just  received;  and  though  setting  out 
on  my  journey  to  Germany,  I  could  not  let  your  kind, 
warm-hearted  and  most  Christian  letter  be  unanswered. 
I  have  a  large  chapel  taken  for  me  at  Brussels ;  and  this 
for  the  occasional  use  of  all  the  ministers  in  my  Con- 
nexion in  England.  Time  must  shew  the  wise  and 
gracious  dispensations  of  my  few  evil  days  yet  remain- 
ing. As  for  the  envy,  malice,  and  jealousy  of  other 
parties,  I  beg  the  Lord  to  pity  them ;  but  blessed  be  his 
name,  to  the  most  unworthy  he  yet  shows  his  loving 
kindness  and  tender  mercies.  Above  six  hundred  Pro- 
testant families  are  now  in  Brussels,  and  much  expecta- 
tion is  raised  for  my  establishment  there.  Give  me  your 
prayers  for  faith,  patience,  and  humility,  that  neither  men 
nor  devils  may  move  me  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel, 
which  I  have  been  called  to  glor}^  in,  as  my  only  earthly 
honour.  My  heart,  prayers,  cries,  and  tears  will  be  with 
you  and  for  you,  that  the  Lord  may  make  and  keep  all 


424  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

to  the  end.  It  would  fail  me  to  tell  you  the  abundaQt 
and  overflowing:  instances  of  his  love,  which  he  is  daily 
affording,  by  the  spread  of  the  blessed  gospel  of  peace 
far  and  wide.  Fourteen  3^oung  ministers  ordained  at  the 
College  promise  well,  and  many  great  and  bitter  trials 
the  Lord  is  bringing  me  through,  to  praise  him.  Five 
chapels,  new  and  large,  and  very  great  congregations  now 
just  establishing.  This,  with  calls  from  all  quarters 
oblio-es  us  to  be  dilis-cnt  in  business,  as  well  as  fervent 
in  spirit.  And  now,  my  worthy,  old,  and  kind  friends, 
try  to  raise  up  some  simple-hearted  young  men  that  know 
something  of  the  Lord,  for  the  very  poor  in  the  villages, 
that  by  reading  and  prayer  they  may  help  them.  I  leave 
the  half  I  have  for  the  support  of  the  College  and  other 
things,  as  my  heart  is  with  you  all.  And  as  for  a  season, 
the  withdrawing  my  maintenance  abroad  must  be  a  great 
loss,  so  I  do  earnestly  beg  and  entreat  that  the  travelling- 
fund,  by  either  subscription  or  collection,  be  all  the  com- 
mittee's care,  everywhere ;  and  if  I  drop,  all  from  me 
must  cease ;  so  this  collection,  once  or  twice  a  year,  is  all 
I  ask,  as  this  is  the  only  means  of  carrying  the  gospel  to 
the  poor  and  ignorant  in  dark  places,  where  their  poverty 
cannot  call  for  it.  You  may  have  a  direction  to  me  from 
Spafields  to  Germany.  Should  I  arrive  there  alive,  it  is 
but  three  days  longer  than  your  letter  to  College,  and 
now  farewell !  farewell,  my  dear  old  faithful  friends :  and 
if  we  never  more  meet  to  see  each  other  below,  we  shall 
sing  '  Worthy  the  Lamb,'  with  heart  and  voice,  to  all 
eternity.  O  blessed  exchange  from  sin,  sorrow,  and 
misery,  to  glorify  Jesus  to  eternity,  in  the  smiles  of  his 
countenance !  May  this  be  our  blessed  lot  I  and,  as  ever, 
so  remains  your  faithful  friend, 

On  her  way  to  London,  the  Countess  stopped  at  the 
different  towns  where  she  had  procured  chapels,  in  order 
to  regulate  their  affairs ;  and  was  thus  unavoidably  de 


POPISH     PLOTS.  425 

tained  in  the  country  beyond  the  day  appointed  for  her 
embarkation.  The  hand  of  God  was  remarkably  mani- 
fested in  this  ;  for,  a  few  days  after  her  arrival  in  London, 
letters  were  received  from  the  Continent,  informing  her 
and  Mr.  Wills  that  there  was  a  concerted  plot  to  get 
them  over,  seize  them  as  heretics,  and  put  an  end  to  their 
lives !  Had  they  sailed  for  Brussels  before  the  arrival  of 
these  letters,  they  would  have  inevitably  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  their  persecutors,  and  become  the  victims  of 
Satan's  rage.  The  justice  of  God  was  also  conspicuously 
displayed ;  for,  on  the  very  day  that  Lady  Huntingdon 
loft  Wales  for  London,  Lord  Douglas  suddenly  dropped 
down,  and  expired!  Thus  Christ's  people  were  shielded 
from  danger,  while  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  fell 
upon  his  own  head.  The  Countess  was  rescued  from  the 
evil  machinations  of  her  foes;  and  she  lifted  up  her 
heart  to  God  in  gratitude  for  his  preserving  kindness. 
She  did  not,  however,  lose  sight  of  the  good  she  might 
have  been  able  to  effect  among  the  German  States;  and 
obtained  accurate  and  extensive  information  respecting 
their  condition.  Dr.  E.  Johnstone,  of  Birmingham,  once 
visited  her,  after  this  event,  at  her  house  in  Spafields, 
when  she  consulted  him  respecting  the  state  of  religion 
in  Germany.  She  astonished  him  by  her  intimate  know- 
ledge of  the  princes  of  that  land,  and  informed  him  how 
much  she  wished  to  send  missionaries  into  the  benis^hted 
districts  of  Germany. 

Although  the  Popish  plots  of  Lady  Huntingdon's  ene- 
mies were  defeated,  the  seeds  of  discord  were  sown 
between  her  Ladyship  and  Mr.  Wills,  which  led  to  the 
separation  of  her  chaplain,  and  some  of  her  ministers, 
from  the  Connexion,  in  the  year  1788.  Party -feeling 
and  jealousy  had  been  fostered  by  some  of  the  Spafi eld's 
friends ;  and  the  Countess,  being  rather  of  a  hasty  and 
imperious  disposition,  was  swayed  by  the  misrepresenta- 
tions of  the  foes  of  Mr.  Wills,  and  was  so  much  incensed 

36* 


426  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

at  some  indiscrete  reflections  upon  her,  contained  in  let- 
ters whicli  he  never  intended  to  reach  her  eyes,  that  she 
allowed  her  feelings  to  triumph  over  her  judgment,  and 
dismissed  him  from  the  honorable  and  useful  position  he 
had  so  ably  occupied.  These  blots  on  her  Christian 
character  are  deeply  to  be  deplored,  though  they  are  to 
be  found  in  the  best  and  greatest  of  earth's  inhabitants^ 
and  remind  us  that  it  is  vain  to  expect  here  the  perfec- 
tion of  that  world,  where  every  stain  will  be  removed. 

Towards  the  close  of  1789,  the  attention  of  Lady 
Iluntinc^don  was  directed  to  a  lar^e  circular  buildino-  in 
the  east  of  London,  near  to  \Yhitechapel  church.  It  had 
been  erected  about  four  years  before,  by  the  proprietor, 
Mr.  Jones,  for  the  purpose  of  public  amusements,  and 
especially  for  the  feats  of  horsemanship.  Mr.  Jones,  how- 
ever, found  it  did  not  answer  his  expectations ;  and,  in 
1790,  he  offered  to  let  the  building  to  her  Ladyship  for 
78  years,  the  remainder  of  his  lease,  at  a  rental  of  £130 
per  annum.  The  Countess  signed  the  agreement,  and 
made  the  necessary  alterations  to  adapt  it  for  the  celebra- 
tion of  divine  worship.  The  dressing-rooms  for  the 
actors  were  converted  into  a  vestry ;  the  stage  was  fitted 
up  with  pews,  lined  with  scarlet,  and  was  called  the 
''throne,"  in  the  front  of  which  were  the  desks  and 
pulpit.  The  pit,  or  circle,  where  horsemanship  had  been 
exhibited,  contained  six  hundred  free  sittings,  and  the 
spacious  galleries  were  prepared  with  pews.  This  chapel 
was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God,  November  28th, 
1790,  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Ford  in  the  morning,  and  the  Eev. 
David  Jones,  rector  of  Llangan,  in  the  afternoon  and 
evening.  A  committee  of  managers  was  appointed,  and 
a  rotation  of  ministers  supplied  the  pulpit  until  recently, 
with  the  exception  of  short  intervals  when  settled  pastors 
were  stationed  there.  The  congregation  is  now  reviving 
under  the  energetic  ministry  of  the  Eev.  J.  Thomas. 

AVhile  the  Countess  was  thus  adding  to  lier  responsi- 


ANECDOTE.  427 

bilities,  and  relying  on  the  goodness  of  God  to  carry  her 
through  her  labours,  some  timid  people  became  alarmed 
at  her  increasing  liabilities.    A  gentleman,  James  Oldham 
Esq.,  who   assisted  her  in  the  management   of  Spalields 
chapel,  called  one  day  at  her  house  to  remonstrate  with 
her,  on  the  impropriety  of  entering  into  engagements  for 
another  chapel  in  the  metropolis,   without  having  the 
means  of  honourably  fulfilling  them.     Before  he  left  the 
house,  her  letters  arrived;   and  as  she  opened  one   of 
them,    her   countenance   suddenly  brightened,    and  her 
tears  began   to  flow.     It  was   to  the  following  effect : — 
"An  individual,  who  has  heard  of   Lady  Huntingdon's 
exertion  to  spread  the  gospel,  requests  her  acceptance  of 
the  inclosed  draft  to  assist  her  in  the  laudable   under- 
taking."    The  draft  was  for  five  hundred  pounds ;  the 
exact   sum  for  which  she  stood  engaged.     ''Here,"  she 
said,    ''take   this,    and   pay  for   the  chapel,    and  be   no 
longer  faithless  but  believing."     Thus  was  the  Countess 
encouraged  to   go  forward  in  her  work,   nothing  doubt- 
ing ;    and  although   she   was  sometimes   anxious  about 
fulfilling  her  engagements,   she  was  fully  assured  that 
the  Lord  would  provide  for  all  her  wants   while  she  was 
faithfully  engaged  in  his  service. 


4:28  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON 


CHAPTER  XXYI.    A.D.    1790—1791. 

THE  LAST  OF  THE  KEVIVALISTS. — INCREASING  WEAKNESS 
OF  THE  COUNTESS. — DEATH  OF  LORD  HUNTINGDON. — 
PREPARATIONS  FOR  DEATH. — REMOVAL  OF  THE  COL- 
LEGE TO  CHESHUNT. — STATE  OF  THE  CONNEXION. — - 
THE  GENERAL  ASSOCIATION. — HER  LADYSHIP'S  WILL. 
— MISSIONARIES  TO  OTAHEITE. — HER  LAST  ILLNESS. — 
HAPPY  STATE. — DE  ATH. — CHARACTER. — INFLUENCE. — 
CONCLUSION. 

There  is  sometliing  inexpressibly  delightful  in  con- 
templating the  close  of  the  Christian's  career,  especially 
when  it  has  been  extended  beyond  the  period  usually 
allotted  to  mortal  life.  What  finer  spectacle  can  there 
be  than  that  of  the  aged  Christian,  whose  hairs  have 
whitened,  and  whose  frame  has  withered  in  active  ser- 
vice, calml}^  waiting  for  the  voice  to  summon  him  home, 
and  yet  zealously  working  in  the  vineyard,  when  most 
of  the  early  labourers  have  been  removed !  Such  was 
the  position  of  Lady  Huntingdon ;  and  as  her  days  de- 
clined, how  frequently  did  she  turn  her  eyes  to  that 
better-land,  where  so  many  of  her  loved  ones  were 
awaiting  her!  The  dear  children,  whom  God  had 
snatched  away  from  her,  that  she  might  live  and  labour 
for  him  alone,  were  there  ;  those  honoured  women — her 
sisters  in  the  flesh  and  in  the  gospel — who  had  assisted 
her  early  faith  and  labours,  were  there ;  and  the  noble 
circle,  that  once  crowded  to  her  drawing-rooms,  and  had 
received  through  her  the  blessings  of  salvation,  awnite  i 


DEATH      OF     LORD     HUNTINGDON.  429 

her  arrival  to  complete  it.  There  were  the  celebrated 
ministers — Whitefield,  Ingham,  Hervey,  Shirley,  Fletch- 
er, and  many  others, —  who  had  laboured  with  her  ;  and 
the  crowds  of  ransomed  sinners  who  had  been  brought 
to  the  knowledge  of  Christ  through  her  efforts.  Her 
time,  however,  had  not  yet  arrived.  She  was  to  be  the 
last  of  the  revivalists  in  the  eighteenth  century,  and  was 
to  witness  the  departure  of  John  Wesley,  who  died  in 
London,  after  a  short  illness,  March  2nd,  1791  ;  and  of 
his  brother  Charles,  Avho  expired  in  the  metropolis,  only 
twenty-seven  days  after  him,  before  she  was  called  to  her 
eternal  rest  in  the  following  June. 

Lady  Huntingdon  stood  alone,  like  an  aged  tree  around 
which  storms  had  played  and  devastated.  Throughout 
her  long  career,  she  had  often  been  brought  to  the  verge 
of  the  grave,  and  her  life  had  been  despaired  of  by  her 
friends.  Her  vigorous  constitution  sustained  her ;  and 
enabled  her  to  prosecute  her  immense  labours,  notwith- 
standing her  weakness,  with  unwearied  diligence  and 
success.  For  the  last  few  years,  however,  it  became 
evident  to  her  friends,  that  her  infirmities  were  rapidly 
increasing.  Frequently  she  was  so  weak  as  to  be  scarcely 
able  to  Avrite  ;  a  painful  inflammation  in  her  eyes  almost 
deprived  her  of  sight;  and  much  bodily  pain  mingled 
with  her  daily  life.  Her  sensitive  spirit  was  keenly 
affected  by  the  sorrows  of  others  ;  and  when  the  tidings 
of  the  decease  of  any  of  her  valued  friends  reached  her, 
she  gave  free  expression  to  her  grief- and  sadness.  Her 
son,  the  tenth  Earl,  died  October  2nd,  1789  ;  and  though 
a  deserved  eulogy  was  paid  to  his  memory  for  his  talents, 
amiability  and  erudition,  his  venerable  mother  mourned 
over  his  infidelity,  and  felt  a  severe  pang  at  his  death, 
which  was  but  slightly  mitigated  by  the  fact,  that  on 
his  dying  bed,  he  had  requested  to  see  the  expelled  Ox- 
ford student,  Mr  Matthews,  who  had  impressed  him  with 
his  conversation  at  Tunbridge  Wells.     Her  friends  were 


430  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTIXGDOX. 

anxiously  concerned  for  the  prosperity  of  the  work  in 
which  she  had  been  so  long  engaged.  As  her  increasing 
frailties  indicated  that  her  stay  here  could  not  be  long 
protracted,  several  attempts  were  made  to  place  the  whole 
in  a  satisfactory  condition  before  her  departure.  The 
College  at  Trevecca  first  received  their  serious  attention. 
The  Institution  had  been  solely  supported  by  Lady 
Huntingdon,  with  the  aid  of  a  few  benefactions  from  her 
friends.  Her  income,  however,  ceased  at  her  death;  and 
as  it  only  amounted  to  twelve  hundred  a  year,  which, 
after  her  son's  death,  was  increased  to  two  thousand  two 
hundred  pounds,  it  prevented  her  making  any  permanent 
provision  for  the  support  of  the  College.  About  four 
years  before  her  death,  a  few  friends  formed  the  design 
of  continuing  it  by  voluntary  subscriptions,  after  she  was 
removed.  She  warmly  approved  of  the  plan ;  the  rules 
were  drawn  up,  and  signed  by  her ;  and  seven  trustees 
were  appointed  to  manage  its  affairs,  with  power  to  fill 
up  vacancies  in  the  trust.  The  rapid  spread  of  the  Con- 
nexion rendered  it  advisable  to  remove  the  College  to  a 
more  central  situation,  when  the  lease  at  Trevecca  ex- 
pired ;  and  before  her  death,  the  trustees  collected  several 
hundred  pounds  for  the  purpose.  Shortly  after  her  de- 
cease, the  lovely  spot  at  Cheshunt,  about  fourteen  miles 
from  London  was  purchased ;  whither  the  library  and 
furniture  were  removed  in  the  spring  of  1792 ;  and  on 
the  following  anniversary,  August  24th,  the  new  College 
was  opened  with  a  series  of  religious  services.  It  has 
received  the  patronage  and  support  of  liberal  evangelical 
Christians  of  various  denominations ;  several  munificent 
legacies  have  been  bequeathed  to  it ;  and  large  subscrip- 
tions are  yearly  contributed  to  maintain  and  extend  its 
operations.  A  neat  chapel  has  been  erected  on  the 
premises,  where  the  president  and  senior  students  preach  ; 
and  a  spacious  hall,  lecture-rooms,  and  studies  have  been 
built.     The   College   is  affiliated  with  the  London  Uni- 


THE     GENERAL     ASSOCIATION.  431 

versity;  and  the  curriculum  embraces  the  subjects  which 
are  required  by  the  senate  to  qualify  for  degrees,  and  an. 
extended  and  elaborate  course  of  divinity.  The  students 
sign  the  Articles  of  her  Ladyship's  Connexion  on  their 
entrance,  read  the  Liturgical  service  in  the  chapel,  and 
remain  in  the  College  four  years.  At  first,  as  at  Trevecca, 
they  were  employed  as  evangelists  in  preaching  the  gos- 
pel, before  they  were  ordained ;  but  latterly,  owing  to 
the  changes  which  have  occurred  in  the  Connexion,  the 
students  are  free  to  select  their  sphere  of  labour,  either 
in  the  Connexion  which  has  the  first  moral  claim  on 
their  services,  or  among  other  Christian  churches.  This 
College  embodies  the  catholic  spirit  of  Lady  Huntingdon, 
has  furnished  some  of  the  most  laborious  and  useful  mini- 
sters and  missionaries  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and 
deserves  the  increased  support  of  all  evangelical  Chris- 
tians. The  Eev.  Dr.  AUiott  is  now  the  President,  and 
W.  B.  Todhunter,  Esq.,  M.  A.,  the  Classical  Tutor. 

Having  settled  the  affairs  of  the  College,  her  attention 
was  drawn  to  the  state  of  her  Connexion.  The  labours 
of  her  ministers  had  gathered  flourishing  congregations 
to  her  chapels  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  These 
formed  her  Ladyship's  ^'  Connexion  ;^''  though  the  term 
might  more  strictly  be  applied  to  the  members  of  the 
"Society,''^  which  was  formed  under  her  auspices.  It  was 
the  practice  among  all  the  Methodists  to  form  their  con- 
verts into  societies  for  mutual  edification,  which  were 
regulated  by  elders,  under  the  supervision  of  the  min- 
isters. Lady  Huntingdon,  during  her  lifetime,  retained 
in  her  own  hands  the  power  of  appointing  and  removing 
ministers,  and  of  establishing,  managers  to  superintend 
the  secular  affairs  of  her  chapels.  As  her  end  drew  near, 
the  pressure  of  business,  arising  from  the  vast  work 
already  in  operation,  and  from  the  urgent  calls  daily  sent 
to  her,  and  the  conviction  that  soon  her  labours  here 
must  cease,  induced   her  to  invite  several  ministers  and 


432  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTIKGDON. 

laymen  to  form  themselves  into  an  "  Association,"  for 
the  purpose  of  aiding  her  during  her  lifetime,  and  per- 
petuating the  Connexion  after  her  death.  A  plan  was 
drawn  out,  and  sent  to  every  congregation,  accompanied 
by  a  letter  from  the  Countess.  It  advocated  the  formation 
of  a  General  Association — the  division  of  the  Connexion 
into  twenty-three  districts — the  appointment  of  a  com- 
mittee, composed  of  the  ministers  and  two  laymen,  in 
each  district,  which  was  to  meet  once  a  quarter,  and 
transmit  a  report  of  its  proceedings  to  the  London  Acting 
Association — the  assembling  of  the  General  Association 
once  a  year,  at  which  a  minister  and  two  laymen  were  to 
be  deputed  to  attend  from  each  district,  when  all  the 
affairs  of  the  Connexion  were  to  be  regulated^— and  the 
formation  of  funds  necessary  to  carry  on  the  itinerant 
labours,  &c.  This  plan  was  not  carried  out  by  the 
Countess.  Several  of  her  friends  and  congregations  op- 
posed it  on  various  grounds ;  Lady  Ann  Erskine  tried 
every  means  to  induce  her  to  relinquish  it;  the  Associa- 
tion in  London  became  divided  and  turbulent ;  and  she 
at  length  abandoned  the  scheme.  Her  convictions  of  its 
importance,  however,  remained  unchanged ;  and  had  her 
health  and  years  permitted,  she  doubtless  would  have 
persevered  in  it  with  her  accustomed  resolution.  She 
saw  the  great  advantage  resulting  from  the  Welsh  Asso- 
ciation ;  and,  by  her  experience  of  the  difficnlties  she  had 
encountered,  she  knew  that,  unless  some  such  plan  were 
adopted,  the  Connexion  would  become  the  prey  of  de- 
signing men,  or,  like  some  stately  vessel,  be  wrecked  by 
unskilful  hands.  It  is  much,  to  be  regretted  that  her  wise 
and  noble  spirit  passed  away,  without  placing  the  whole 
on  a  firm  basis.  Had  the  Connexion  been  regularly 
organized  and  legally  established  during  her  lifetime,  and 
had  the  trustees  and  ministers  been  compelbd  to  adhere 
to  a  constituted  order,  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon's 
Connexi  n  would  at  this  time  have  occupied  one  of  the 


HER     WILL.  433 

most  conspicuous  positions  among  fhe  religious  denomi- 
nations in  England.  The  auspicious  movement,  however, 
passed ;  and  the  golden  opportunity  has  never  yet  re- 
turned. 

While  the  London  Association  was  preparing  this  plan, 
she  was  anxiously  considering  the  best  mode  of  disposing 
of  her  chapels  and  residences.  The  English  law  renders 
all  bequests  of  buildings  or  land  for  religious  or  charita- 
ble purposes  null  and  void ;  and  all  settlements  of  such 
property  by  trust,  for  these  purposes,  invalid,  unless  the 
doner  shall  survive  the  disposal  twelve  months.  Her 
Ladyship  was  aware  of  the  legal  impediments,  and  her 
state  of  health  rendered  it  improbable  that  she  would 
survive  the  year,  if  trust-deeds  were  executed ;  she, 
therefore,  bequeathed  the  chapels  and  houses  to  certain 
persons  with  unrestricted  power  over  them,  trusting  that 
the  grace  of  God  would  dispose  their  hearts  to  employ 
them  in  the  same  spiritual  purpose  which  had  engaged 
her  life.  Her  will,  dated  January  11th,  1790,  gave  all 
her  chapels,  houses,  and  furniture  therein,  and  all  the 
residue  of  her  estates  and  effects  to  Thomas  Haweis  and 
Janetta  Payne  his  wife,  Lady  Ann  Erskine,  and  John 
Lloyd ;  and  directed  that,  as  one  of  these  devisees  died,  a 
successor  should  be  appointed,  until  all  the  property  was 
disposed  of,  providing  that  always  one  of  the  trustees 
shall  be  a  minister  of  her  Connexion.  By  a  codicil,  she 
requested  her  family  to  confirm  this  disposition  of  her 
property ;  and  as  no  objection  was  made  to  it,  at  her 
death  the  four  trustees  took  possession  of  her  chapels, 
and  strictly  carried  out  the  intentions  of  Lady  Hunting- 
don. Lady  A.  Erskine  was  appointed  to  superintend  the 
whole,  as  she  had  been  the  constant  associate  and  coad- 
jutor of  the  Countess,  and  was  better  acquainted  with 
her  mode  of  procedure  than  any  other  person ;  and  till 
her   death   in   1804,  she  regulated   the  Connexion  with 

37 


434  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

great  wisdom  and  success,  and  by  her  kind  and  obliging 
disposition  secured  the  good  esteem  and  co-operation  of 
all.  Lady  Ann  was  a  remarkable  character.  She  pos- 
sessed the  talents  of  the  Erskine  family,  and  the  catho- 
licity of  Lady  Huntingdon ;  and,  in  the  course  of  her 
administration,  displayed  such  energy  and  prudence, 
tenderness  of  spirit  and  firmness  of  purpose,  as  com- 
manded the  admiration  and  esteem  of  her  associates  in 
the  work. 

The  venerable  Countess  was  now  approaching  the 
close  of  her  long  and  useful  career.  Her  frailties  were 
becoming  more  conspicuous,  and  indicated  that  her  stay 
on  earth  would  be  short.  Her  mind  seemed  to  increase 
in  strength  and  activity,  as  her  frame  grew  weaker  ;  and 
her  heart  glowed  with  heavenly  love  and  peace.  She 
was  fast  ripening  for  an  inheritance  among  the  saints  in 
light.  Sometimes  she  appeared  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
celestial  mansion  ;  and  then  her  weather-beaten  features 
were  lit  up  with  a  heavenly  glory.  The  more  she  rose 
to  heaven,  and  enjoyed  the  presence  of  her  Saviour,  the 
more  humbly  she  prostrated  herself  in  the  dust,  and  cast 
herself  on  the  mercy  of  the  Lord.  The  great  work  she 
had  been  enabled  to  effect,  and  the  gratitude  which  Avas 
poured  into  her  ears  from  thousands  of  lips,  never  fos- 
tered self-esteem ;  but  only  impelled  her  heart  to  Him, 
who  had  supported  and  blessed  her  in  her  labours.  She 
sought  not  her  satisfaction  in  her  life,  but  in  the  con- 
scious enjoyment  of  Christ.  ''How  little,"  she  says, 
"can  anything  of  mine  give  a  moment's  rest  to  a  depart- 
ing soul ;  so  much  sin  and  self  mixing  with  the  best, 
and  always  so  short  of  what  we  owe !"  She  was  thus 
gliding  down  the  stream  of  time,  with  a  firm  reliance  on 
Christ,  and  with  a  bright  and  beautiful  hope,  which  gave 
a  heavenly  fervour  to  her  soul,  and  wings  to  her  renew- 
ed spirit.  The  glorious  change  had  almost  commenced 
here;  for  while  her  frame  was  fading,  it  was  tinged  with 


LAST      ILLNESS.  435 

tliG  beauty  of  her  immortal  life,    and  glowed  with  the 
expression  of  her  gladdened  soul. 

About  this  time  she  received  the  intelligence  of  the 
death  of  the  Eev.  D.  Rowlands,  her  Welsh  coadjutor; 
and  in  a  letter  to  his  son  dated  Spafields,  October  24th, 
1790,  she  says,  ''How  bitterly  my  tears  have  mixed  with 
yours  for  your  dear  father !  I  never  knew  I  loved  and 
honoured  him,  as  my  grief  for  him  makes  me  now  feel 
and  surely  know  how  great  and  faithful  a  servant  of 
God  he  was.  Let  me  know  all  particulars  of  his  sick- 
ness and  death,  and  when,  from  this  event,  you  may  be 
at  liberty  for  London.  I  cannot  think  you  can  hope  to 
see  me  alive.  I  suffer  night  and  day  inexpressibly.  All 
goes  well  here ;  and  the  great  chapel  (Sion)  only  waits 
opening  for  the  various  ministers'  arrival  by  the  third 
Sunday  in  N'ovember,  or  any  other.  All  that  is  kind  to 
dear  Mrs.  Rowlands.  I  am  so  low,  about  your  father, 
united  with  my  other  misery,  that  you  must  take  this  as 
the  best  testimony  I  can  give  to  a  friend  I  so  faithfully 
and  affectionately  love  and  honour." 

Towards  the  close  of  November,  1790,  the  Countess 
broke  a  blood  vessel,  which  was  the  commencement  of 
her  last  illness.  She,  however,  still  managed  her  affairs, 
with  the  assistance  of  Lady  Erskine,  and  her  secretary, 
Mr.  Best ;  and  until  her  debility  became  too  great,  she 
wrote  to  her  friends,  and  carried  on  her  accustomed  cor- 
respondence. Her  congregations  were  uppermost  in  her 
thoughts ;  she  called  the  members  of  her  societies  her 
dear  children,  and  often  expressed  how  much  she  cared 
for  their  souls.  Her  strength,  however,  every  week  be- 
came more  feeble ;  and  a  complication  of  disorders,  and 
much  suffering,  almost  crushed  her  frame.  She  manifes- 
ted the  greatest  patience  and  resignation,  and  said  to 
Lady  Ann,  "  All  the  little  ruffles  and  difficulties  which 
surrounded  me,  and  all  the  pains  I  am  exercised  with  in 
this  poor  body,  through  mercy  affect  not  the  settled  peace 


436  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

and  joy  of  my  soul."  Deatli  had  no  repulsive  aspect  in 
her  eyes,  for  she  regarded  it  but  "  as  the  putting  off  of 
her  cloak ; "  and  when  Lady  Ann  once  asked  her  how 
she  waS;  she  exclaimed,  "  I  am  well.  All  is  well — well 
for  ever.  I  see,  wherever  I  turn  my  eyes,  whether  I  live 
or  die,  nothing  but  victory."  She  looked  forward  to  her 
end  with  joyful  anticipation,  and  said,  ''  I  know  that  then 
my  capacity  will  be  enlarged ;  but  I  am  noiv  as  sensible 
of  the  presence  of  God,  as  I  am  of  the  presence  of  those 
I  have  with  me."  This  hallowed  feeling  she  had  long 
enjoyed ;  and  a  few  days  before  she  took  to  her  bed,  she 
remarked,  ''  The  Lord  hath  been  present  with  my  spirit 
this  morning  in  a  remarkable  manner  ;  what  he  means  to 
convey  to  my  mind,  I  know  not;  it  may  be  my  ap- 
proaching departure ;  my  soul  is  filled  with  glory  ;  I  am 
as  if  in  the  element  of  heaven  itself." 

On  the  12th  day  of  June,  1791,  a  change  passed  over 
the  Countess,  which  indicated  to  her  physician  the 
symptoms  of  approaching  death.  Her  friends  watched 
over  her  with  unceasing  solicitude,  and  lingered  in  her 
chamber,  as  if  unwilling  to  lose  one  moment  of  her 
society.  She  said  to  Lady  Ann,  and  Miss  Scutt,  who  had 
been  long  and  sincerely  attached  to  her,  ''I  fear  I  shall 
be  the  death  of  you  both ;  it  will  be  but  a  few  days  more." 
Her  Ladyship  was  exceedingly  cheerful  and  animated, 
and  conversed  with  her  friends  with  great  energy  till  she 
was  obliged  to  cease  from  exhaustion.  She  desired  to  be 
informed  how  the  work  of  the  Lord  was  prospering,  and 
what  new  fields  were  opening.  For  some  time  she  had 
contemplated  a  mission  to  Otaheite,  in  the  South  Seas, 
and  had  instructed  Dr.  Haweis  to  arrange  that  two  mis- 
sionaries should  be  sent  out.  This  formed  the  subject  of 
conversation  when  he  visited  her  in  her  illness ;  but  he 
prevailed  upon  her  not  to  talk  about  it  then,  as  she  was 
exhausted,  and  said,  ''  To-morrow  your  Ladyship  shall 
hear  what  can   be  done."     The  next  day  she  was  in- 


II  K  R      D  E  A  T  11  .  437 

formed  of  the  difliciilties  wliicli  were  raised,  and  that  the 
two  missionaries  would  not  depart  without  episcopal 
ordination,  which  w^as  denied  them.  She  exclaimed, 
'^  We  shall  find  others,  I  doubt  not ;  and  ordered  her 
secretary  to  write,  and  request  two  students,  who  had 
expressed  their  willingness  to  undertake  the  work,  to 
come  to  town  immediately.'^ 

AYhile  the  days  and  nights  of  pain  rolled  round.  Lady 
Huntingdon  enjoyed  a  season  of  meditation,  prayer,  and 
lioly  joy.     Her   hope  shone,  like  the  evening  star,  and 
cast  its  radiancy  far  into  the  darkness  of  the  grave.     It 
was  fixed  on  the  cross ;  and  she  often  said,  "  I  have  no 
hope  but  that  which  inspired  the  dying  malefactor  at  the 
side  of  my  Lord ;  and  I  must  be  saved  in  the  same  way, 
as  freely,   as  fully,   or  not  at  all."     As  her  life  gently 
waned,   she  said  with  great  emphasis,  ''  The  coming  of 
the  Lord  draweth  nigh !     0,  Lady  Ann,  the  coming  of 
the  Lord  draweth  nigh !     The  thought  fills  my  soul  with 
joy  unspeakable;    whether  I  shall  see  his  glory  more 
abundantly  appear,  or  whether  it  be  an  intimation  of  my 
own  departure  to  him."     She  often  repeated,  "  I  long  to 
be  at  home  !     My  work  is  done  !     1  have  nothing  to  do 
but  to  go  to  my  heavenly  Father."     Yet  w^hile  she  re- 
mained here,   her  heart   was  deeply   interested   in   her 
work  ;  and  only  an  hour  before  she  died,  having  written 
to    the    Eev.    T.  Charles,  of  Bala,   to  supply  Spafields 
chapel,  she  asked  Lady  Ann,   "Is  Charles'  letter  come?" 
On   being  informed  that  it   was,   she  requested  that  it 
might  be  opened  immediately ;  and  when  Lady  Ann  said 
she  would  go  and   open  it,  the  Countess  replied,  ''To 
know  if  he  comes,  that's  the  point."     So  anxiously  was 

*  When  the  (irrit  missionaries,  sent  out  by  tlie  London  Society  to 
Otaheite  in  1798,  were  about  to  embark,  a  hackney  coach  was  called 
to  convey  them  to  the  vessel,  whicii  was  in\niediately  discovered  to  be 
Lady  Huntingdon's    old  carriage. 


438  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUXTINGDON. 

slie  still  concerned  for  ttie  prosperity  of  the  work  of  the 
Lord. 

A  little  before  she  died,  she  frequently  said,  ''  I  shall 
go  to  my  Father  to-night ; "  and  musingly  repeated,  "  Can 
he  forget  to  be  gracious  ?  Is  there  any  end  of  his  lov- 
ing-kindness ?  "  Her  physician  visited  her  between  four 
and  five ;  and  shortly  after,  her  strength  suddenly  failed, 
and  she  appeared  to  sink  into  a  sleep.  A  friend,  who 
was  waiting  below,  was  summoned  to  her  chamber.  He 
took  her  hand — it  was  cold  and  clammy;  he  felt  her 
pulse — it  was  ceasing  to  beat ;  and  as  he  leaned  over  her 
she  breathed  her  last  breath,  and  fell  asleep  in  Jesus 
She  died  at  her  house  in  Spafields,  adjoining  her  chapel 
June  17th,  1791,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  her  age 
and  was  interred  in  the  family-vault,  at  Ashby-deda 
Zouch. 

The  tidings  of  her  decease  instantly  cast  a  gloom  over 
the  metropolis ;  and  as  they  rolled,  like  dark  clouds 
throughout  Great  Britain,  plunged  thousands  into  grief 
and  sadness.  Her  congregations,  amounting  to  more 
than  one  hundred  thousand  persons,  mourned  over  the 
loss  they  had  sustained  ;  her  principal  chapels  were  hung 
with  black  ;  and  not  only  her  own  ministers,  but  many 
in  the  Establishment,  and  among  the  Nonconformists^ 
preached  a  funeral  sermon  in  honour  of  her  character, 
and  to  testify  to  her  worth.  Tears  fell  like  copious 
showers,  at  the  mention  of  her  name ;  a  medal  was 
struck  off  as  a  memento  of  her  death ;  "^  her  well-known 
features  were  embalmed  in  the  memory  of  her  people  j 
and  her  deeds  were  gratefully  spoken  of  by  those  who 
had  been  blessed  by  her  exertions.     She  lived  to  serve 

*  One  of  these  medals  was  found  in  a  field  near  Bodmin.  On  one 
side  is  a  lik-eness  of  her  Ladysliip,  inscrihel  '*  Selina,  Countess  Dowa- 
ger of  Huntingdon;"  aiwl  on  the  reverse  side.  "I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  livetl;,"  a;id  at  the  foot,  "Died  17  June,  1791,"  with  her 


HER     CHARACTER.  439 

her  Master,  and  evangelize  tlie  world ;  she  girded  on  the 
gospel-armour,  and  went  forth  to  battle  with  ignorance, 
error,  and  vice  ;  she  trampled  under  her  feet  the  charms 
of  wealth  and  noble  birth,  and  bore  with  meekness  the 
scorn  and  opposition  of  the  world ;  she  grasped  the 
standard  of  the  cross  with  a  mighty  hand,  rallied  her  fol- 
lowers, and  uttered  her  cry,  ''  Excelsior ; "  she  beheld 
mighty  champions  cut  down  at  her  side,  and  many  de- 
serting the  battle-field  ; — but  she  remained,  '^  strong  in 
the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might ;  "  died  nobly  in 
the  midst  of  her  efforts,  worn  out  with  care  and  ceaseless 
watching  over  the  spiritual  condition  of  others ;  and 
entered  into  the  land  "  where  the  weary  are  at  rest." 

Lady  Huntingdon  was  a  wonderful  woman  in  an  age 
fertile  with  illustrious  characters.  Many  displayed  more 
sparkling  genius,  wit  and  talents  than  she  did;  many 
exhibited  feats  of  heroism  which  will  encircle  their 
names  with  unrivalled  glory ;  but  none  mingled  so  many 
excellent  features  in  their  characters  as  did  the  Countess 
of  Huntingdon.  Descended  from  an  ancient  and  honour- 
able house ;  endowed  with  talents  and  accomplishments, 
which  added  lustre  to  an  illustrious  court ;  allied  to  a 
nobleman  of-  great  personal  merit,  and  of  renowned  an- 
cestry ;  and  possessed  of  everything  esteemed  in  the 
present  life ;— Lady  Huntingdon  might  have  shone  in  the 
gay  and  fashionable  society  of  her  times,  and  have 
secured  for  herself  a  niche  in  the  great  temple  of  litera- 
ture, or  of  fashion.  But  what  things  were  gain  to  her 
she  counted  loss  for  Christ.  She  valued  all  her  exterior 
advantages,  only  for  the  influence  they  enabled  her  to 
exert ;  she  gave  up  the  blaze  of  rank,  for  the  attractions 
of  poverty  and  woe  ;  she  forsook  the  splendid  court,  to 
teach  in  the  wretched  hovel;  and  deemed  it  a  greater 
honour  to  be  permitted  to  induce  thesinner  to  bow  before 
Jesus,  than  to  attract  a  crowd  of  noble  flatterers,  and 
rule  them  by  her  charms.     She  sacrificed  all  for  Christ ; 


440  M  E  ^I  O I  R     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

devoted  herself,  her  time,  property,  influence,  and  talents 
to  the  cause  of  religion ;  and  presented  to  the  world  an 
example  of  what  one  pious  w^oman  can  do  to  benefit 
man,  and  glorify  God. 

Lady  Huntingdon  possessed  great  natural  talents. 
Her  intimate  associates  were  persons  of  ability,  and  dis- 
tinguished reputation.  Lord  Chesterfield  was  the  model 
of  an  accomplished  man ;  yet  her  Ladj^ship's  society  was 
much  courted  by  him.  Lord  Bolingbroke  was  deeply 
read  in  polite  literature,  and  in  scientific  and  theological 
works ;  yet  he  listened  with  enthusiasm  to  the  conversa- 
tion of  the  Countess.  The  celebrated  ladies,  who  ruled 
the  court,  and  drew  the  flower  of  the  nobility  to  their 
feet,  condescended  to  notice  only  persons  of  superior 
talents ;  yet  even  on  these  her  Ladyship  exerted  a  power- 
ful influence.  Throughout  life,  she  commanded,  by  her 
abilities,  the  respect  and  confidence  of  acknowledged 
great  men,  who  often  solicited  her  advice,  and  submitted 
to  her  guidance.  Her  mind  was  quick,  comprehensive, 
and  firm ;  her  will  resolute  and  determined ;  her  faith 
simple  and  enduring ;  and  her  energy  vast  and  untiring. 
She  possessed  much  natural  sweetness  and  amiability  of 
character,  which  the  gospel  ripened  into  a  holy  and 
heavenly  spirit ;  and  her  manners  were  exceedingly  ele- 
gant, and  engaging.  As  a  wife,  she  was  an  example  to  a 
corrupt  and  licentious  age ;  as  a  mother,  she  was  devoted 
to  her  children,  and  ruled  them  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  ; 
as  a  friend,  she  Avas  sincere  and  attached,  generous  and 
obliging.  Her  conversational  powers  were  remarkable. 
There  was  scarcely  a  topic  on  which  she  could  not  con- 
verse with  freedom  and  accuracy ;  and  on  all  theological 
subjects,  she  discoursed  like  an  able  divine.  She  argued 
with  the  sceptic,  expostulated  with  the  sinner,  and 
enlightened  the  believer.  Fletcher  calls  her  "a  prodi- 
gy ;"  and  many  instances  are  recorded  of  the  usefulness 
of  her  talk.    On  one  occasion,  Whitefield's  brother  called 


HEK     CHARACTER.  44"! 

on  Her.  He  was  then  sinking  into  the  grave,  and  almost 
despairing  of  mercy.  ^'I  am  a  lost  man,"  lie  cried, 
''  there  is  no  hope  for  me."  She  replied  in  a  firm  tone,  "  I 
am  glad  you  feel  you  are  lost,  for  Jesus  Christ  seeks  and 
saves  the  lost.  What  makes  you  despair  should,  there- 
fore, inspire  you  with  confidence ;  go  to  him  as  a  lost 
sinner,  and  he  will  save  you."  This  short  conversation 
was  blessed  to  him  ;  and  he  died  in  the  hope  of  a  joyful 
immortality. 

Lady  Huntingdon  possessed  an  exceedingly  generous 
disposition.  She  sympathised  with  human  misery  in  all 
its  varied  forms,  and,  to  the  utmost  of  her  ability,  re- 
lieved it.  Her  liberality,  however,  was  chiefly  devoted 
to  the  cause  of  religion  ;  and  in  the  course  of  her  long 
life,  she  expended  about  one  Jiundred  thousand  pounds  for 
religious  purposes.  She  lived  in  a  homely  manner,  and 
reduced  her  personal  expenses  to  the  lowest  sum  that  she 
might  be  able  to  devote  more  to  the  service  of  Christ. 
One  of  her  ministers  once  called  on  her  Ladyship  with  a 
wealthy  person  from  the  country.  When  they  came  out 
of  her  house,  he  exclaimed,  ^'-  What  a  lesson !  Can  a 
person  of  her  noble  birth,  nursed  in  the  lap  of  grandeur, 
live  in  such  a  house,  so  meanly  furnished ;  and  shall  I,  a 
tradesman,  be  surrounded  with  luxury  and  elegance? 
From  this  moment,  I  shall  hate  my  house,  my  furniture, 
and  myself,  for  spending  so  little  for  God,  and  so  much 
in  folly." 

The  Countess  exhibited  the  simplicity  and  grandeur 
of  Christian  character.  Religion,  with  her,  was  not  a 
creed,  nor  an  ecclesiastical  position ;  but  a  living  power. 
It  had  its  seat  in  her  heart ;  and  gave  warmth  to  her 
feelings,  clearness  to  her  views  of  truth,  and  strength  to 
her  faith.  She  was  clothed  with  humility ;  and  always 
spoke  of  herself  as  a  worm  in  the  sight  of  God.  She 
admired  consistency,  and  beautifully  exemplified  it  in 
her  life.     Her  sympathies  were  most  tender  and  power- 


442         3IEM0IR     OF     LADY     IIUXTlNGDOX. 

fal ;  and  her  catTiolicity  of  spirit  won  tlie  admiration  of 
the  good  and  great  among  all  classes  of  Christians.  She 
loved  the  whole  world,  and  desired  to  send  the  gospel  to 
every  part  of  it.  Her  faith  was  as  simple  and  confiding 
as  a  child's,  and  sustained  her  throughout  her  arduous 
career;  and  her  early  conflicts  gave  such  solidity  and 
strength  to  it,  that,  when  once  she  was  persuaded  she 
was  walking  in  the  right  path,  no  opposition,  nor  dan- 
gers could  turn  her  aside,  or  disturb  the  serenity  of  her 
soul.  She  lived  in  heaven,  while  she  laboured  on  earth. 
Her  life  was  one  constant  communion  with  God  ;  prayer 
was  the  language  of  her  soul ;  her  heart  was  ever  breath- 
ing out  petitions;  and  she  never  undertook  any  thing 
without  specially  beseeching  the  blessing  of  heaven. 

It  must  not,  however,  be  supposed  that  Lady  Hunting- 
don was  perfect.  She  had  her  frailties,  as  well  as  her 
virtues ;  which  are  sufficient  to  remind  us  that  she  was 
mortal.  She  appears  to  have  been  sometimes  irritable, 
and  imperious,  and  to  have  manifested  an  unforgiving- 
spirit  toward  those  who  had  offended  her.  There  can 
be  no  doubt  she  met  with  much  to  harass  and  distress 
her,  arising  from  her  own  indispositions,  and  the  malice 
of  her  foes.  She  was  herself  exceedingly  earnest  and 
zealous ;  and,  in  the  warmth  of  her  ardour,  was  led  to 
regard  some  persons  in  an  unfavourable  light,  and  to 
listen  too  eagerly  to  the  insinuations  of  crafty  persons. 
She,  however,  was  aware  of  her  failings,  and  often  bitterly 
deplored  them.  In  the  course  of  her  extended  career, 
she  had  seen  such  hypocrisy  and  baseness,  and  had  been 
sometimes  so  imposed  upon,  that  it  naturally  made  her 
vigilant,  and,  perhaps,  suspicious. 

No  one  can  consider  the  activity  and  perseverance  of 
the  Countess,  without  a  feeling  of  wonder  and  admira- 
tion. She  was  always  working;  far  more  laboriously 
than  if  her  daily  bread  depended  on  her  exertions.  Her 
journeys,    in  that   age  of  travelling,  alone  would  have 


CONCLUSION.  443 

worn  out  many  a  stronger  frame ;  her  correspondence;  if 
it  could  be  collected,  would  outrival  Whitefield's,  or 
Horace  Walpole's ;  and  her  constant  planning  and  solici- 
tude would  have  crushed  a  feebler  spirit.  She  was  never 
satisfied  with  what  she  was,  or  what  she  had  done ;  she 
studied,  prayed,  and  conversed  that  she  might  obtain 
clearer  apprehensions  of  divine  truth ;  she  pressed  forward 
in  her  work  in  spite  of  sickness,  opposition,  and  diffi- 
culties ;  and  she  staid  not  her  chariot- wheels,  till  her 
Master  whispered  to  her  from  above,  and  called  her  to 
another  and  a  better  sphere. 

Yes!  Lady  Huntingdon  was  a  noble  character,  and 
will  ever  be  numbered  among  the  chief  actors  in  the 
reformation  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

She  found  England  sunk  to  a  large  extent,  in  ignorance 
and  depravity,  which  among  the  lower  orders  might  be 
called  brutality.  Spiritual  slumber,  worldliness,  and 
error  had  fearfully  invaded  the  Church,  both  ministers 
and  people.  But  what  could  a  woman,  though  in  her 
commanding  position,  effect?  In  addition  to  her  per- 
sonal exhortations  and  prayers,  which  knew  no  remission, 
she  gathered  around  her  a  band  of  devoted  and  eloquent 
men,  who,  under  her  patronage  and  counsels,  traversed 
the  three  Kingdoms,  lighting  everywhere  the  torch  of 
evangelical  religion,  and  rousing  the  careless  by  the 
gospel  call ;  which  sounded  to  their  unaccustomed  ears 
as  if  it  had  come  from  Heaven. 

"Irregular,"  as  towards  the  national  Church,  she 
doubtless  was  upon  compulsion  of  its  oppressive  rulers, 
but  it  was  no  less  the  church  of  her  judgment,  and  of  her 
affections,  and  let  those  answer  for  it  who  laid  such  ne- 
cessity upon  her  to  be  "  irregular  "  toward  the  church 
which  she  loved,  at  the  bidding  of  those  who  loved  it  not. 
And  let  not  the  theorists  of  a  later  day,  pronounce  lightly 
upon  her  conduct  in  doing  as  she  did,  rather  than  disre- 
gard what  seemed  to  her  a  wide  and  effectual  door,  opened 


4:4:4:  MEMOIR     OF     LADY     HUNTINGDON. 

bj  Providence  before  her,  and  tbe  call  to  lead  tbrougb  it 
a  multitude  of  souls  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Before  she  left  the  world,  she  had  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  a  blessed  revival  of  religion  in  the  established  and 
non-conforming  churches.  Her  College  was  supplying  a 
race  of  evangelical  ministers,  and  one  hundred  thousand 
persons  were  statedly  hearing  the  gospel  in  her  own 
chapels.  She  ceased  from  her  labours,  but  her  work 
still  lives  and  honours  her ;  and  when,  in  future  years, 
the  impartial  historian  narrates  the  glorious  reformations 
which  have  revived  the  Christian  Church,  he  will  asso- 
ciate with  the  honoured  names  of  the  mighty  Eeformers, 
the  name  of  this  illustrious  Lady ;  and  displaying  her 
private  virtues,  and  her  public  acts,  bid  the  world  admire 
the  character,  and  follow  the  example  of  Selina,  Count- 
ess OP  Huntingdon. 


"IN  VERITATE  VICTORIA." 


APPENDIX 


The  following  letters  were  received  too  late  for  inser- 
tion in  tlieir  proper  place.  They  are  addressed  to  Miss 
Mary  Bateman,  who  was  for  some  years  a  companion  of 
Lady  Huntingdon.  Her  father  was  very  much  opposed 
to  the  Methodists ;  and  finding  that  his  daughter  was  in 
the  habit  of  hearing  Whitefield,  he  sternly  threatened  to 
disinherit  her  if  she  continued  to  do  so.  She  could  not 
give  up  her  privileges ;  her  father,  therefore,  opened  the 
door,  gave  her  a  shilling,  and  drove  her  from  his  house. 
The  Countess  heard  of  his  unfeeling  conduct,  and  offered 
the  young  lady  an  asylum  in  her  mansion ;  and  she  re- 
mained with  her  ladyship,  till  her  father's  death,  when 
-she  again  resided  with  her  mother.  In  the  spring  of 
1762,  Lady  Huntingdon  lived  in  New  Norfolk-Street, 
Grosvenor  Square,  where  her  daughter,  Lady  Selina,  was 
seized  with  a  fever.  Miss  Bateman  was  also  attacked 
with  it ;  and  her  ladyship  then  wrote  the  following  letter 
to  her. 

"Friday  Afternoon,  April  30th,  1762. 

My  Dear  Bateman, — I  long  to  come  and  see  you,  but 
the  doctor  thinks  there  may  be  danger  of  bringing  addi- 
tional infection  to  Lady  Selina ;  and  should  she  have  a 
relapse  of  the  fever,  with  eruption,  in  her  weak  state,  it 
might  be  of  bad  consequence.  In  this  situation  of  mine, 
I  am  sure  you  would  not  wish  to  see  me ;  but  if  you  at 
any  time  should,  1  will  come  the  last  thing  at  night,  and 

38 


446  APPENDIX. 

tlien  I  think  no  danger  can  arise  from  it.  You  must  know 
that  you  command  from  my  heart  all  that  can  be  done ; 
and  the  doctor  assures  me  you  have  not  one  symptom 
that  is  in  the  least  to  be  feared.  May  our  dear  Lord  bless 
your  heart  with  such  a  measure  of  joy,  peace,  quiet,  and 
assurance,  as  may  cause  you  to  repose  in  confidence  all 
your  cares  upon  his  tender  bosom.  I  am  truly  anxious 
for  your  real  peace  and  health ;  but  for  all,  and  in  alt,  I 
I  commend  you  to  him  who  is  the  friend  that  fails  not, 
and  who  will  be  found  yours  and  mine  eternally.  Ever, 
ever,  your  affectionate  and  faithful  friend, 

S.    HUNTINGDON. 

p.  S.  Let  me  know  if  you  want  anything,  and  if  you 
would  have  me  send  to  let  your  mother  know." 

The  second  letter  refers  to  the  erection  of  her  chapel 
at  Bath,  (see  p.  227,)  and  to  the  disposal  of  her  jewels, 
(see  p.  190.) 

"  My  Dear  Bateman, — I  have  taken  the  resolution  to 
stay  this  summer  in  this  part  of  the  world,  and  hope  you 
will  come  and  see  me  while  I  am  at  Bath.  Mrs.  Davies' 
house  I  am  in  full  possession  of  on  Monday  next,  and 
shall  have  a  room  for  you ;  I  hope  your  mother  will  be 
so  kind  as  not  to  be  against  your  coming.  Before  you 
come  down,  I  shall  be  glad  to  know  what  Mr.  Eomaine 
will  do  about  Brighton,  and  if  he  intends  being  there.  I 
have  written  to  Mrs.  Madan,  but  have  had  no  answer.  I 
purpose  to  write  this  post,  and  also  to  Mr.  Berridge,  that 
I  may  be  sure  they  are  well  supplied.  I  find  such  a 
backwardness  in  all  our  fine  clergy  in  preaching  the  gos- 
pel, that  I  really  know  not  what  to  make  of  it ;  but  I 
believe  it  has  a  great  lesson  which  I  am  to  attend  to — 
that  the  Lord  himself  will  be  my  Shepherd,  that  I  may 
lack  nothing.  I  believe  this  Avhole  afiair  of  the  chapel 
here  has  the  marks  of  his  hand,  as  evidently  as  it  is  pos- 
sible for  them  to  appear  in  any  human  Avork.  I  have 
not  had  one  line  from  any  quarter  to  approve  or  rejoice 


CD 


APPENDIX.  447 

ill  the  matter,  the  whole  lies  between  my  heart  and  him- 
self; and  in  blessino-  he  will  bless  it,  and  in  multii^lving- 
he  will  multiply ;  and  this  is  my  joy.  An  uncommon 
blessing  attended  the  laying  the  first  stone ;  and  Mora- 
vians, and  others,  were  all  peculiarly  sensible  of  it. 
That  all  throughout  the  whole  of  this  business,  the  Lord 
has  been"  his  own  witness,  bows  my  heart  before  him  to 
ive  him  all  the  praise,  and  all  the  glory ;  that  no  man's 
hand  is  in  it,  is  no  small  matter  of  thanks  to  me.  My 
soul  designs  to  trust  him  alone,  for  and  in  all  things. 
He  is  full  and  sufficient  for  all  purposes,  both  in  heaven 
and  earth.  I  find  it  a  hard  lesson;  but  I  am  sure  it  is 
the  best  lesson  he  means  to  make  his  creature  perfect  and 
clear  in. 

I  have  ordered  a  stone  with  '  M.  B.'  upon  it,  which 
you  are  to  pay  for.  I  have  ordered  it  to  be  placed  at  the 
other  corner  of  the  foundation,  and  to  be  the  principal 
stone  on  the  left  hand  of  the  building,  as  mine  is  on  the 
right.  This,  your  dear  heart  seemed  to  wish,  so  that  a 
share   in   the   blessing^   that   followed   the    undertaking' 

o  o 

might  be  your  portion ;  and  this  my  heart  as  much  de- 
sires for  you  as  your  own  can  do. 

My  love  to  your  mother,  and  Mrs.  Jones.  When  you 
see  poor  Kitty,"  tell  her  I  remember  her  in  love.  I  hope 
you  will  see  dear  Mrs.  Carteret,  and  Mrs.  Cavendish  be- 
fore you  come  aAvay ;  and  do  ask  Briscoe  if  he  will  take 
the  jewels  at  the  price.  Tell  him,  as  I  have  not  been  in 
town  since,  that  they  are  sealed  up,  and  as  he  left  them, 
and  that  I  am  willing  to  part  with  them.  Mrs.  Carteret 
has  the  key,  and  Mr.  Hastings,  of  Queen  Ann's  Street, 
i\rill  go  for  them.     Ever  affectionately  yours. 


*  Formerly  Miss  Bateman's  servant.  Miss  Batemau  married,  in 
1765,  Mr.  Adams,  of  Asliby,  an  intimate  friend  of  Lady  Huntingdon  ; 
and  her  daughter,  Jane,  married  the  Rev.  R.  Housman,  "  tlie  Evan- 
gelist of  Lancaster." 


INDEX 


Aberford,  151,  153,  18  i,  2^9,  279. 

Abraham,  Old,  198. 

Aldridge,  Rev.  W.,  333. 

Aldwiucle,  272. 

Alexander,  Rev.  J.,  389. 

Allen,  Ralph,  55,  419. 

AUiott,  Rev.  Dr.,  431. 

Alva,  Lady,  232. 

America,  Missions  to,  349  352;  War 
with,  353  ;  Wesley  in,  37  ;  White- 
field  in,  39,  90,  319. 

Ancaster,  Duchess  of,  44,  96,  339,  342. 

Andrews,  Dr.,  244. 

Anecdotes  of,  Berridge,  192,  202; 
Burnet,  58;  Conyers,  199;  Fletch- 
er, 187;  George  III.,  339,  359; 
Lord  Huntingdon  and  Two  Students, 
2S1  ;  Lady  Huntingdon  and  her 
Beggars,  44,  Servants,  57,  the  Poor, 
192  :  Mr.  Shipman,  282;  Cap.  Scott, 
304  ;  her  Funeral,  421,  cheque,  427, 
coach.  437,  house,  441;  Dr.  Oliver, 
139:  Rowland  Hill,  321  :  Romaine, 
417:  Thompson,  115 ;  Whiteficld, 
98  ;  Wills,  387,  389. 

Apsley,  Lord,  273. 

Ashl.y-de-la-Zouch,  58,  79,  106,  109, 
IIS,  125,  151. 

Association,  General,  431. 

Baddellev,  Rev.  G.,  79,  109,  120. 

Batcman,  Rev.,  93,  95. 
"         Miss,  445. 

Bath,  Lord,  92,  94,  106. 

Bath,  Lady  Huntingdon  at,  55,  67, 
77,  86,  136,  142,  158,  176,  225,  228, 
253,  305,  319,  349,  365,  379. 

Baity,  Mr.,  69,  72,  185. 

Bennett,  Rev.  T.,  420. 

Benson,  Dr.,  37,  42,  46,  47. 
Rev.  J.,  214,   323. 

Berridge,  Rev.  J.,  179,  192,  255,  272, 
2S7,  303,  228,  361. 

Birmingham,  336,  420. 

Bolingbroke,  Lord,  43  ;  Epitaph  by. 
80;  hears  Whitefield,  92,  94,  10.3: 
liberality,  106;  at  court,  134;  death, 

I3y. 


Booth,  Rev.  A.,  289. 

Bowman,   Rev.,  387,  388. 

Breakfasts,  Ministerial,  125,  206. 

Bretby  Hall,  226,  248. 

Brighton,  Lady  Huntingdon  at,  164, 

1S9,  201,  205,  214,  228,  232,  239, 

375. 
Bristol,  106,  133,  147,  304,  315,  325, 

383. 
Brown,  Rev.,  of  Kingston,  256. 

"        Rev.  John,  384,  404. 
Browne,  Rev.  M.,   128. 
Bradford,  Rev.  J.,  420. 
Brussels,  422,  424. 
Buchan,  Lord,  245,  259. 
Lady,  301,  305. 
Buckingham,  Duchess  of,  49,  50,  66. 
Burke,  Edmund,  343. 
Burnet,  Bishop,  58. 

Cadogan,  Rev.  W.,  380. 

Cartei'et,  Lord,  76. 

Mrs.  217,  447. 

Cavendish,  Mrs.,  217,  447. 

Cennick,  Mr.,  53. 

Chapels,  Bristol  Tabernacle,  106,  L33, 
147  :  Foundry,  176;  Long  Acre,  159; 
Moorfield's  Tabernacle,  112,  146, 
190,  350;  Neville's  Court,  45; 
Portsmouth,  105;  Tottenham  Court, 
161,  190,  350;  Chapels  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  at  Ashbourn,  337;  Ba- 
singstoke, 376;  Bath,  226,  235,  238, 
305,  319.  402;  Birmingham,  419; 
Bootle,  417:  Bretby,  226,  249: 
Brighton,  189,  239,  375:  Bristol, 
384  :  Canterbury,  335  :  Cheltenham, 
403:  Chichester,  375:  Dover,  334, 
350,  Dublin,  363,  Emsworth,  376, 
Ewart-Street,  London,  371,  Guild- 
ford, 376,  Hereford,  419,  Hull,  356, 
Kendal,  418,  Kidderminster,  379, 
Lewisham,  336,  Maidstone,  335, 
Margate,  333,  Mevagissey,  3S6, 
Mulberry  Gardens,  368,  372,  Nor- 
wich, 155,  387,  Oathall  194,  297, 
Petworth,  376,  Reading,  3S2,  408, 
Sion,  426,  43.5,  Spafields,  394,  396, 
449 


•ioO 


INDEX, 


St.  Agnes,  385,  St.  Columb,  386, 
St.  Ives,  385,  Swansea,  331,  Truro, 
386,  Tuubridge  Wells,  215,  279,  291, 
411,  Wallingford,  377,  Westminster, 
371,  Weymouth,  419,  Whitehaven, 
418,  Worcester,  361,  York,  356. 

Charles,  Rev.  T.,  399. 

Chesterfield,  Lord,  91,  106,  107,  358, 
440. 

Lady,  109,  110,  125,  178, 
182,  318,  340,  358. 

Clifton,  67,  77,  106,  145,  167. 

Cobbe,  Lady  Betty,  238. 

College,  at  Trevecca,  264,  opened, 
283,  studies,  269,  298,  314,  value 
of,  285,  337,  413,  prosperity,  318, 
358,  367,  anniversaries,  299,  316, 
331,  390,  at  Cheshunt,  430. 

Controversy,  Religious,  311,  323,  328, 
366. 

Conyers,  Dr.,  199,  207,  250. 

Cook,  Rev.  J.,  334,  350. 

Cooper,  Rev.  W.,  384. 
''     Miss,  59. 

Cork,  367. 

Cornwall,  114,  385. 

Cornwallis,  Dr.,  338,  341. 

Cotton,  Dr.,  125. 

Coughlan,  Rev.  L.,  372. 

Courcy,  De,  Rev.  R.,  291,  295,  417. 

Court,  Royal,  25.  29,  43,  94,  135,  329. 

Cumberland,  417. 

Darracott,  Rev.  R.,  106. 

Dartmouth,  Lord,  212,  252,  257,  274, 
339,  380,  396,  403. 

Davies,  Rev.  H.,  88,  203,  224,  300,  301. 

Deane,  Mrs.,  252. 

Delitz,  Countess,  111,  125,  126,  359. 

Derbyshire,  Revival  of  Religion  in, 
336. 

Dorry,  Bishop  of,  239. 

Devil's  Castaways,  98,  99. 

Dissent,  State  of,  34,  Lady  Hunting- 
don and,  361,  Relief  bill,  408. 

Dodd,  Dr.,  182. 

"       Rev.  T.,  333,  362. 

Doddridge,  Dr.,  friendship  with  Lady 
Huntingdon,  74,  his  opinion  of  her, 
78,  letters  respecting  her,  89,  his 
Academy,  84,  friendship  with 
Whitefield,  103,  119,  his  influence 
on  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  George 
HI.  134,  illness  and  death,  135, 
138. 

Donnington  Park,  27,  Lady  Hunting- 
don at,  28,  32,  40,  58,  83,  154. 

Douglas,  Lord.  422,  425. 

Downing.   Rev.  258. 

Dryden,  Rev.  J.  389. 

Dublin,  3G;3. 


Earthquake  in  London,  115. 

Easterbrook,  Rev.  J.  268,  297. 

Eastmead,  Rev.  J.  385. 

Eccles,  Rev.  365,  372. 

Edward,  Prince,  182. 

Edwards,  Rev.  225. 

Edwin,  Lady  C.  44. 

England,  condition  of,  33,  75. 

Erasmus,  Greek  Bishop,  207. 

Erskine,  Lady  Ann,  her  youth,  245, 
father's  death,  259,  correspondence, 
271,  at  Tunbridge  Wells,  291,  the 
college,  301,  Norwich,  387,  Anec- 
dote, 421,  manages  the  Connexion, 
433. 

Established  Church,  state  of,  34,  170, 
clergy  of,  89,  127,  190,  201,  Peti- 
tion against  Articles  of,  342. 

Etwall  Hospital,  412. 

Everton,  180. 

FiNLEY,  Rev.  J.  411. 

Fletcher,  Rev.  J.  early  life,  173,  at 
Everton,  181,  Madeley,  187,  Brigh- 
ton, 202,  his  preaching,  228,  Presi- 
dent of  the  College,  265,  et  seq. 
Influence,  314,  resigns  bis  office, 
324,  pamphlets  of,  326. 

Foote,  183. 

Ford,  Rev.  Dr.  426. 

Foundling  Hospital,  160. 

Fox.  Charles,    191. 

Frankland,  Lady  Ann,  49. 

Furley,  Rev.  S.  244,  256. 

Garrtck,  184,  238,  321. 

George  IL  76,  109,  134,  160. 

George  IIL  134,  337,  339,  359. 

George  IV.  43. 

Georgia,  Province  of,  37,  346. 

Germaine,  Lady  Betty,  320,  321. 

Giardini,  178. 

Gibbon,  Mrs.  H.  122. 

Gideon,  Miss,  245. 

Gifford,  Dr.  104,  109,  125,  161,  289. 

Giordini,  179. 

Glascott,  Rev.  303,  368,  38,3,  3S7, 
397,  409. 

Glazebrookc,  267,  284. 

Glenorchy,  Lady,  228,  318,  402. 

Gloucester,  304.  403. 

Glynn,  Sergeant,  397,  400. 

Graves,   Rev.  C.   70,  121. 

Grimshaw,  Rev.  W.  at  Haworth,  69, 
persecuted,  72,  bis  preaching,  111, 
itinerates  with  Whitefield,  124,  his 
energy,  152,  opinion  of  the  Coun- 
tess, 193,  death,  208. 

Hallward,  Rev.  380. 
Hamilton,  Lady  M.  130. 


INDEX. 


451 


Handel,  177,  401. 

Harleian  Library,  50. 

Harrington,  Lord,  109 

Hart,  Rev.  E.  S.  386. 

Hartley,  Dr.  137. 

Rev.  J.  119,  122,  133. 

Hastings,  House  of,  25,  26,  Lady  Mar- 
garet, 39,  Lady  Betty,  56,  Lady 
Anne,  67,  87,  113,  154,  Lady  Fran- 
ces, 67,  87,  130,  Lady  Elizabeth, 
104, 141,  LadySelina,  130,  182,  209, 
445,  George  and  Eerdinando,  72, 
Henry,  163,  106. 

Hawei?,  Dr.,  his  influence  on  Mr. 
Venn,  171,  preaches  at  the  Lock 
Hospital,  202,  206,  obtains  the  liv- 
ing of  Aldvvincle,  273,  joins  the 
Connexion,  371,  at  Spafields,  396, 
at  Bath,  402,  appointed  a  devisee 
of  the  Countess,  433,  urges  a  mis- 
sion to  Otaheite,  436. 

Hawkestone,  255. 

Hawkesworth,  Rev.,  at  Dublin,  364, 
letter  to,  367,  ordination  of,  376, 
preaches  in  London,  378. 

Haworth,  69,  208,  249. 

Henley,  Lord  Chancellor^  193.  2! 9, 
220. 

Hertford,  Countess  of,  114. 

Hervey,  Rev.  J.  at  Oxford,  35, 
Whitefield  to,  103,  105,  119,  visits 
Lady  Huntingdon,  121,  125,  letter 
to  her,  144,  at  Lady  Fanny  Shir- 
ley's 141,  145. 

Hicks,  Rev.  ISO,  303. 

Hill,  Sir  Richard,  276,  277,  328. 
"  Rev.  Rowland,  family,  229,  247, 
at  Cambridge,  255,  275,  visits  the 
Countess,  255,  at  Wotton,  321,  en- 
gages in  the  Calvinistic  controversy, 
327,  chaplain  to  Lady  Chesterfield, 
358,    offends  the  Countess,  404. 

Hotham,  Lady  G.  110,  125,  178,  305. 

Howell,  Harris,  at  Fetter-Lane,  46, 
itinerates  in  Wales,  48,  88,  102, 
brings  Whitefield  to  Lady  Hunting- 
don's mansion,  90,  91,  letter  of, 
102,  at  Trevecca,  242,  264,  299, 
death,  359. 

Huddersfield,  186,  249. 

Hull,  356,  361. 

Huntingdon,  Ninth  Earl  of,  25,  26,  42, 
55,  64,  65,  69,  79 ;  Tenth  Earl,  107, 
141,  182,  281,  429. 

Huntingdon,  Countess  of,  ancestry, 
22,  109,  early  life,  23,  endowments, 
24,  at  court,  25,  28,  134,  339,  mar- 
riage 25,  Donnington  Park,  28,  32, 
40,  58,  83,  154,  early  conflict,  29, 
illness,  31,  78,  105,  11.3,  129,  217, 
249,  257,  271,     conversion,    39,    at 


House  of  Lords,  44,  correspondence 
with  Wesley,  40,  53,  59,  73,  112, 
236,  316,    hears  Whitefield  preach, 

48,  66,  her  influence,  51,  96,  125, 
170,  205,  222,  306,  392,  443,  induces 
the  nobility  to  hear  Whitefield,  48, 

49,  94,  introduces  lay-preachers,  53, 
letters,  (see  letters),  visits  Bath,  (see 
Bath),  concern  for  her  servants,  57, 
care  for  the  poor,  62,63,  90,  97,  109, 
Visits  Yorkshire,  69,  151,  184,  199, 
248,  death  of  her  children,  72,  166, 
210,  429,  of  Lord  Huntingdon,  79, 
friendship  with  Doddridge,  74,  84, 
89,  132,  136,  137,  in  London,  (see 
London  ;)  itinerates  in  Wales,  87, 
331,  appoints  as  her  chaplains, 
Whitefield,  93,  Romaine,  157,  Shir- 
ley, 218,  Taylor,  332,  Wills,  377, 
her  drawing-room  services,  73,  91, 
98.  173,  217,  288,  her  catholicity, 
74,  107,  225,  344,  441,  her  liberality, 
83,  137,  146,  192,  304,  becomes  the 
patroness  of  the  clergy,  89,  101,  127, 
129,  159,  194,  304,  the  protector  of 
the  persecuted,  76,  102,  108,  27S, 
at  Ashby-de-la-Zouch,  106,  109, 118, 
125,  438,  procures  ordination  for 
Mr.  Madan  and  Mr.  Browne,  127, 
friendship  with  Hervey,  121,  125, 
143,  visits  Brighton,  (see  Brighton), 
friendship  with  Mr.  Venn,  171,  197, 
et  passim;  visits  Berridge  at  Ever- 
ton,  181,  sells  her  jewels,  190,  447, 
her  extraordinary  journeys,  310, 
322,  331,  335,  her  delight  in  prayer 
24,  176,  239,  308,  her  missionary 
zeal,  252,  351,  436,  concern  for  her 
chapels  after  her  death,  257,  432, 
establishes  her  college,  264,  283, 
purchases  the  advowson  of  Aldwin- 
cle,  274,  engages  in  the  Wesleyan 
controversy,  313,  interview  with  the 
King  and  Queen,  339,  attachment 
to  the  Established  Church,  170,  343, 
prosperity  of  her  work,  358,  368, 
379,  385,  407,  423,  443,  her  position 
in  England,  364,  397,  406,  separa- 
tes from  the  Establishment,  398, 
loses  some  of  her  preachers,  399, 
410,  425,  exposes  charitable  abuses, 
412,  intended  visit  to  Germany, 
423,  her  Will,  433,  last  illness,  435, 
death,  438,  character,  439.  et  seq. 

Indians,  American,  252,  351,  354. 

Ingham,  Rev.  at  Oxford,  35,  Georgin, 
37,  preaches  in  Yorkshire,  39,  66, 
69,  124,  184,  at  (Jrimshaw's  death, 
209,  his  Societies  scattered,  185, 
death,  280. 


452 


INDEX 


Ingham,  Lady  Margaret,  39,  151, 181, 

279. 
Ireland,  James,    315,  318,    322,    326, 

410. 
Ireland,  condition   of,  108,  363,    369, 

persecution  in,    108,    preaching  in, 

303,  3(56. 
Irvine,  Lady,  252. 
Itinerancy,    114,    172    246,  247,    249, 

307,  335,  366,  408. 

Jay,  Rev.  W.  402. 
Jersey  College,  America,  120. 
Jesse,  Rev.  220,  226,  371,  399. 
Johnson,  Dr.  141,  321. 
Jones,   Rev.  David,  333. 

"  George,  411. 

"  Griffi'th,  88,  203. 

"  John,  297. 

"  Thomas,    of    Southwark, 


203. 


Thomas,  387. 


Kemp,  Rev,  W.   333. 
Kempster,   Rev.  .J.   389. 
Kent's  Anthems,   179. 
Kidderminster.  304,  379, 
Kilraorey,   Lady,  23,  85,  86. 
Kimpton,  Rev.  272. 
Kings  wood,  47,  53,  297. 
Kinsman,  Rev.  A.   308,  374. 


Lake,  Rev.  E.  362. 

Lavington.  Bishop  of  Exeter,  101, 114. 

Lay-preachers  introduced,   53. 

Layton,  Mrs,  256, 

Ledstone  Hall,  56,  69,  72. 

Letters  of  Lady  Huntiniidon,  to  Miss 
Bateman,  44i,  to  Doddridge,  74, 
84,  to  Lady  Glcnorchy,  318,  to 
Hallward,  381,  to  Hawkesworth, 
364,  367,  371,  to  Rev.  J.  Milner, 
357,  to  Norwich  friends,  423,  to 
Mrs.  Powys,  233,  to  Roinaine,  359, 
to  Rowlands,  435,  to  Shirley,  396, 
to  John  Wesley,  79,  236,  to  White- 
field,  95,  respecting  the  death  of 
Lady  Sclina,  209,  210,  Rowland 
Hill,  256,  her  American  missions, 
351,  her  secession,  399,  character 
of  her  letters,  59,  118,44.3. 

Letters  of  Dr.  Benson,  46,  Rerridge 
to  Lady  Huntingdon,  202.  213,  272, 
287,  De  Courcy,  296,  Doddridge, 
89,  Fletcher  to  Lady  Huntingdon, 
251,  266,  324,  to  Charles  Weslev, 
174,  to  Whitefield,  247,  to  Jone"^s, 
298,  to  Benson,  32  J,  Lady  (Glcnor- 
chy,    230,    318,      .Sergeant    Glvnn, 


397,  Ilervej-,  143,  Howell  Harris 
102,  Romaine,  207,  Talbot,  258 
Toplady,  390,  Venn  to  Lady  Hunt 
ingdon,  248,  254,  257,  respecting 
Laih,  306,  J.  Wesley,  180,  White- 
field  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  91,  92, 
111,  166,  to  Shirley,  259,  290,  to  J. 
Wesley,  156,  respecting  the  nobility 
94,  103,  itinerancy,  105,  Ashby, 
126,130,  Bath,  227,  death  of  Earl 
Buchan,  261. 

Lewes,  223. 

Limerick,  108,  366. 

Lloyd,  Mr.  316,  318,  349. 

Lock  Hospital,  128,  206,  223. 

Loudon,  state  of,  116,  Lady  Hunting- 
don in.  85,  89,  105,  141,  152,  173, 
1S2,  272,  288,  308,  370. 

Lords,  House  of,  34,  44,  345,  346. 

Lucy,  Rev.  W.  384. 

Luther,  22,  134. 

Luxborough,  Lady,  140. 

Lyttleton,  Lord,  134. 

Madan,  Rev.  M.  ordained,  127, 
preaches  for  Lady  Huntingdon,  173, 
180,  202,  214,  ^3l,  visits  Handel, 
178,  engages  in  the  dispute  about 
Aldwincle,  273. 

Magdalen  Hospital,  182. 

Mallet.  David,  141. 

xMansfield,   Lord,   218. 

Margate,  students  preach  at,  333. 

Marlborough,  Duchess  of,  49,  66. 

Matthews, \Mr.  281,  430. 

Maxfield,  Rev.  53,  54,  239,  299. 

Medal  struck  at  Lady  Huntingdon's 
death,  438. 

Medhurst,  Mrs.  245,  253,  257,  279 

Methodism,  rise  of,  35,  first  Society, 
46,  character  of,  52,  77,  progress, 
73,  Conferences,  73,  77,  201,  313, 
325,  controversy,  323,  366. 

Milner,  Rev.  J.  356. 

Ministers,  qualifications  of,  264,  345. 

Missions  to  America,  348,  to  Sierra 
Leone.  355,  to  Otaheite,436. 

Moira,  Lord,  141. 

Montague,  Lady  M.  AV.  43,  49. 

Moorfields,  48,  65,  112,  146. 

Moravians,  46. 

Music,  Sacred,  90,  177,  223,  237. 

Nash.  Beau.  142. 
Nelson,  John,  70,  71. 
Nicholson,  Rev.  J.  373. 
North,   Lord,  343. 
Northington,  Lord,  238. 
Norwich,  155,  387. 


INDEX, 


453 


Oathall,  194,  297,  349,  361. 

Oecum,  Rev.  S.  252,  264. 

Oliver,  Dr.  137,  138. 

Open-air  preaching,  47,  295,  409. 

Ordination,  of  Wliitefiold,  38,  Madun 
and  Browne,  127,  128,  Hawkes- 
worth,  374,  Students  at  Spafields, 
414. 

Orphan  House,  346.  352. 

Orton,  Miss,  246,  261,  301,  318,  375. 

Owen,  Rev.  John,  389,  402. 

Oxford,  Earl  of,  50. 

Oxford  Students,  expelled,  276,  281. 

Paul,  Mrs.  364,  374,  419. 

Peckwell,  Dr.  at  Lewes,  224,  Dublin, 
365,  Sussex,  368,  Westminster,  371, 
Trevecca,  374,  Bristol,  383. 

Penty cross.  Rev.  T.  224,  371,  376, 
409. 

Perronet,  Rev.  V.  73,  309. 

"         Charles  and  Edward,  335. 

Persecution  in  Yorkshire,  71,  Eng- 
land, 76,  Wales,  102,  Ireland,  109, 
atAshby,  121.  Long  Acre,  159,  of 
Shirley,  218,  at  Dublin,  365,  Read- 
ing, 382,  Spafields,  395,  et  passim. 

Piercj,  Rev.  appointed  President  of 
the  Orphan  House,  349,  leaves 
America,  354,  itinerates  for  Lady 
Huntingdon,  409. 

Pitt,  W.  (Lord  Chatham)  supports  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  134,  hears  White- 
field,  191,  favours  Berridge,  193, 
defends  dissenting  ministers,  345. 

Poor,  Lady  Huntingdon  and  the,  61. 

Potter,  Dr.  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
85. 

Powley,  Rev.  M.  272. 

Powys,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  visits  Lady 
Huntingdon,  233,  Mr.  Venn  visits 
242,  the  Countess  visits,  304,  305, 
317. 

Praver-meetings  among  noble  ladies, 
97,  176,  384. 

Pretender,  the,  75,  78. 

Prior  Park,  55,  137,  419. 

Queen,  Charlotte,  interview  of  Lady 

Huntingdon  with,  340. 
Queeusbury,  Duchess  of,  44,  49,  50. 

Reading,  380,  408. 

Reformations  of  the  Church,  21,  169, 

381,  443. 
Repton  School,  412. 
Reynolds,  Sir  Joshua,  321. 
Richmond,  395. 
Righteousness,  self,  29. 
Rockingham,  Lady,  94,  96. 
Rodborough,  246. 


I  Romaine,  Rev.  W.  breakfasts  with 
I  Whitefield,  125,  appointed  chaplain 
to  Lady  Huntingdon,  158,  preaches 
for  her  in  her  drawing-rooms,  173, 
191,  at  Everton,  180,  in  Yorkshire, 
184,  at  Oathall,  194,  Brighton,  202, 
375,  Bretby  Hall,  226,  Btiotle,  417, 
his  ministerial  breakfasts,  206,  per- 
secution at  St.  Dunston's,  218,  ob- 
tains Blackfriar's  Church,  220,  ad- 
vises Lady  Huntingdon  about  her 
chapels,  258,  and  her  college,  266, 
gives  up  preaching  for,  399,  his  let- 
ters, (see  letters). 
Rotherham,  Whitefield  at,  122. 
Rowlands,  Rev.  Daniel,  itinerates 
with  Lady  Huntingdon  in  Wales, 
88,  preaches  at  Bristol,  133,  Tre- 
vecca, 299,  316,  373,  Swansea,  332, 
death,  435. 
Ryland,  Rev.  J.  289,  419. 

Sandemanian  theories,  185. 

Savage,  the  poet,  67,  114,  his  mother 
68. 

Schools  at  Ashbj^  58,  59. 

Scott,  Captain,  conversion  of,  lv»6, 
visits  Mr.  Powy;;,  24H,  preaches  at 
the  Tabernacle,  London,  196,  Mad- 
eley,  247,  Leeds,  251. 

Scutt,  Miss,  436. 

Sellon,  Rev.  W.  395,  et  seq. 

Sherman,  Rev.  J.  384,  421. 

Shipman,  Rev.  281,  283,  338. 

Shirley  House  of,  22,  Hon.  John,  270, 
Lady  Stewarta,  270. 

Shirley,  Lady  Fanny,  her  literary  so- 
ciety, 43,  Poet  Savage  and,  67, 
Whitefield  preaches  at  her  town 
mansion.  111,  125,  146,  resides  at 
Bath,  305,  opens  her  residence 
there  to  the  nobility,  361,  her  ill- 
ness, 370. 

Shirley,  Rev.  Walter,  appointed  chap- 
lain to  Lady  Huntingdon,  218,  cor- 
responds with  Whitefield,  259,  290, 
engages  in  the  Methodist  contro- 
versy, 313,323,  et  seq;  sets  apart 
the  American  missionaries,  349, 
preaches  at  Bath,  306,  355,  Wor- 
cester, 361,  Ireland,  363,  Norwich, 
387,  Trevecca,  390,  letter  of  Uio 
Countess  to,  396. 

Shuter,  the  comedian,  162. 

Sierra  Leone  missions,  355. 

Sligo,  preaching  at,  367. 

Somerset,  Duchess  of,  114,  136,  152. 

Sortain,  Rev.  J.  375. 

Southey's  "Life  of  Wesley,"  42. 

Spafields.  393,  409,  414,  et  seq. 

Stanton  Harold,  description  of,  23. 


4:5-i 


INDEX. 


Stillingfleet,  Rev.  E,  258,  276. 

Stonhouse,  Dr.  85,  11.3,  119,  124,  132. 

Students,  Lady  Huntingdon's,  their 
character,  284,  302,  preaching,  333, 
337,  348,  attempts  to  seduce  them, 
403,  418,  her  prayers  for  them,  413, 
(see  college). 

Suffolk,   Lady,  96. 

Sunderland,  Countess  of,  71. 

Sussex,  state  of  religion  in,  195,  296. 

Sutherland,  Earl  and  Countess  of, 
231. 

Swansea,  332. 

Talbot,  Rev.  Dr.  258,  28.3,  379. 

Tatler,  quoted,  28. 

Taylor,  Rev.  W.  preaches  at  Swan- 
sea, 332,  at  Spafields,  395,  397, 
itinerates,  409,  appointed  to  1  un- 
bridge  Wells,  411,  ordains  Students 
at  Spafields,  415. 

Thanet,  Lady,  94. 

"Theron  and  Aspasio,"  143. 

Thomas,  Rev.  John,  426. 

Thompson,  Rev.  114. 

Thoresby,  Rev.  T.  E.  401. 

Thornton,  John,  opens  his  house  for 
preaching,  171,  Dr.  Conyers  and, 
199,  207,  friendship  with  Romaine, 
219,  generosity  to  Mr.  Eurley,  244, 
to  the  college,  318,  purchaces  Ald- 
wincle  for  Lady  Huntingdon,  274, 
consults  about  the  Pantheon,  396. 

Thorpe,  Mr.  conversion  of,   123. 

Thurlow,  Lord  Chancellor,  321. 

Toleration  Act,  77,  398,  415. 

Toplady,  Rev.  A.  engages  in  the  con- 
troversy, 328,  preaches  at  Trevec- 
ca,  361,  390,  Lady  Huntindon  con- 
sults about  Richmond,  396,  Mul- 
berry Gardens,  372,  Spafields,  393, 
his  character,  388. 

Townsend,  Rev.  preaches  for  Lady 
Huntingdon  at  Bretby,  227,  Bath, 
322,  360,  in  Yorkshire,  249,  Edin- 
burgh, 249,  Ireland,  363,  gives  up 
preaching  for  her,  399. 

Townshend,  Lady,  43,  49,  94. 
*•  Marquis  of,  339. 

Trevecca,  Lady  Huntingdon  at,  88, 
299,  349,  359,  373,  et  passim;  How- 
ell Harris  at,  242,  House,  264. 
Tunbridge  Wells,  Lady  Huntingdon 
at,  214,  215,  279,  et  seq. ;  chapel  at 
opened,  291,  its  history,  411. 

Un-ion,  Christian,  112,  235. 
Universities,  state  of  the,  275. 

Vknv,  Rev.  Henry,  his  early  minis- 
try, 170,    preaches   at   Lady  Hunt- 


ingdon's mansion,  173,  290,  at  Ever- 
tou,  181,  HuddersSeld,  186,  Cathail, 
197,  361,  Tunbridge  Vfells,  214, 
Trevecca,  242,  Bath,  254,  305,  370, 
itinerates,  172,  307,  preaches  AVhite- 
field's  funeral  sermon  at  Bath,  320, 
friendship  with  Booth,  2S9,  gives 
up  preaching  for  Lady  Huntingdon, 
399,  letters,  248,  254,  257,  305, 
306. 
Venn,  Mrs.  death  of,  253. 

Wake,  Rev.  L.  J.  404. 

Wales,  Prince  of,  43,  44,  66,  134,340. 

Wales,  spread  of  religion  in,  66,  87, 
102,  1G5,  368. 

Walker,  Rev.  Samuel,  171,  386. 

Wallingford,  376. 

Walpole,  Horace,  quoted,  104,  179, 
237,  at  Magdalen  Hospital,  182,  at 
Bath,  237,  Lady  Huntingdon  and, 
321. 

Warburton,  Dr.  ridicules  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon, 55,  his  opinion  of  White- 
field,  137,  refutes  Bolingbroke's 
writings,  141,  Dr.  Andrews  and, 
244. 

Waterford,  preaching  at,  366. 

Watts,  Dr.  74. 

Wesley,  John,  at  Oxford,  35,  46, 
visits  America,  37,  returns  to  Eng- 
land, 39,  at  Fetter-Lane,  46,  53, 
appoints  lay-preachers,  65,  at  the 
Foundry,  176,  at  Donnington  Park, 
64,  preaches  at  Lady  Huntingdon's 
house,  73,  104,  176,  288,  305,  310, 
at  Epworth,  64,  holds  Conferences 
in  Loudon,  73,  313,  in  Bristol,  77, 
325,  in  Leeds,  201,  accused  of 
favouring  the  Pretender,  75,  sepa- 
ration of  Whitefield  from,  112,  their 
re-union,  112,  breakfasts  at  Taber- 
nacle house,  125,  preaches  in  Ire- 
land, 108,  at  Everton,  180,  Nor- 
wich, 156,  Bath,  235,  290,  Trevec- 
ca, 266,  301,  serious  illness,  149, 
friendship  with  Fletcher,  174,  324, 
advocates  the  doctrine  of  Perfec- 
tion, 312,  disturbances  among  his 
societies,  366,  consults  the  Greek 
Bishop,  208,  Horace  Walpole's  opi- 
nion of  his  preaching,  237,  238,  the 
Arminian  controversy,  313,  separa- 
ration  from  Lady  Huntingdon,  315, 
316,  death,  429,  letters,    see  letters. 

Wesley,  Charles,  at  Oxford,  35,  Geor- 
gia, 37,  preaches  at  Bath,  55,  Clif- 
ton, 145,  199,  322,  Cork,  108,  Nor- 
wich, 156,  Yorkshire,  70,  accused  of 
disloyalty  75,  death  of  his  child, 
150,  his  death,  429. 


INDEX. 


455 


Wesley,  Mrs.  C.  145,  149,  150. 

"       mother  of,  54. 
Wheatley,  Rev.  J.  155,  387,  388 
Wheeler,  Miss,    130,   253,   261,    279, 

354,  35(5,  385, 
Whitby,  Rev.  J.  333. 
Whitetield,  George,  early  days,  35,  36, 
at  Oxford,  36,  ordained,  38*^  46,  mar- 
vellous effects  of  his  preaching,  38, 
39,  65,  98,  117,  123,  151,  152,  162, 
visits  America,  38,  39,  52,  142,  151, 
206,  319,  at  Fetter-Lane,  45,  Bishop 
Benson's  opinion  of,  42,  46,  preaches 
at  Ashby,  119,  126,  Bath,  142,  227, 
231,  261,  291,  Bretby,  226.  Brigh- 
ton, 183,  239,  Bristol,  38,  106,  133, 
173,  Donnington,  154,  Gloucester, 
37,  133,  246,  Ireland,  108,  292, 
Long  Acre,  159,  Moorfields,  48,  65, 
75,  146,  Norwich,  155,  Tottenham 
Court,  161,  190,  Tunbridge  AVells, 
280,  293,  preaches  in  Hyde  Park  at 
night,  116,  117,  appointed  chaplain 
to  the  Countess,  92,  preaches  in  her 
drawing-rooms,  91,  103,  288,  itine- 
rates in  Wales,  65,  105,  143,  in  Scot- 
land, 65,  124,  in  England,  103,  121, 
147,  236,  290,  in  Yorkshire,  124, 
151,  250,  Bishop  of  Exeter  perse- 
cutes, 101,  114,  union  with  Wesley, 


112,  236,  friendship  with  Ilervey, 
103,  105,  143,  Venn,  172,  320,  Ro- 
maine,  191,  227,  Captain  Scott,  197, 
Fletcher,  247,  ridiculed  by  Foote, 
183,  opens  the  College  at  Trevecoa, 
284,  death,  319,  Will,  346,  charac- 
ter, 91,  177,  320,  his  letters,  (see 
letters). 
Whitetield,  Mrs.  65,  136. 

"  brother   of    George,    105. 

133,  147,  440,  441. 
Wilks,  Rev.  Mark,  388. 
Williams,  Rev.  W.  299,  316. 
"         Rev.  P.  300,  316. 
Wills,  Rev.  T.  at  Bath,  355,  Walling- 
ford,  377,  in  Cornwall,  385,  at  Spa- 
fields,  397,    itinerates  for  the  Coun- 
tess, 409,  ordains  Students,  415,  in- 
vited  to   Germany,   422,    separates 
from  Lady  Huntingdon,  425. 
Winter,  Cornelius,  346. 
Woolwich,  preaching  at,  350,  378. 
AVorcester,  304,  307,  317,  36J,  368. 
Worthing,  224. 
Wyun,  Sir  W.  W.  102. 

Yorkshire,  revival  of  religion  m,  69, 

124,  151,  152,  184,  et  passim. 
Young,  Dr.  43. 


THE   END. 


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